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A police officer in the United States was fired after shooting a black couple inside a car, killing a 19-year-old man and wounding his girlfriend.
The Chicago officer shot dead Marcellis Stinnette and wounded Tafara Williams after what authorities described as a traffic stop Tuesday.
The officer, whose name has not been released, committed “multiple policy and procedure violations,” Waukegan Police Chief Wayne Walles said.
Stinnette’s grandmother joins protesters after shooting
Police said Ms. Williams was driving and her partner was a passenger in a car who fled after he was stopped, before another officer saw the vehicle.
After the second officer approached, the car was reversed and the now-fired officer opened fire on the couple, who have a child together, according to authorities.
No weapon was found in the vehicle, police said.
The officer who shot the couple is Hispanic and has been in the police department for five years.
The Lake County chief prosecutor said the FBI will work with Illinois state police to investigate the incident.
Lake County State Attorney Michael Nerheim has asked the US Department of Justice to investigate the circumstances surrounding Stinnette’s death.
Tafara Williams’ father marched with protesters
“I am confident in the work being done by the Illinois State Police and I appreciate the help of the FBI,” Nerheim said in a statement.
“As I said before, once the investigation is complete, all the evidence will be reviewed and a final decision will be made regarding the possible charges.”
The couple’s family and activists are asking police to release a video of the shooting, which authorities say is currently on an investigative team.
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Activist Chris Blanks said the video footage is crucial as the version of events given by police appears to contradict the version of events told by Williams’ mother, Clifftina Johnson.
She says her daughter said they did nothing to provoke the officer who wounded her and shot her partner dead.
Nerheim called for calm during the investigation process and promised transparency.
