A routine traffic stop turned deadly Monday night when 19-year old #MichaelMoore was shot fatally by a Mobile police officer.
Moore , who had two passengers with him, committed a traffic violation. According to investigators, Moore’s car cut off another car near Stanton Road at Wagner St. When pulled over, Moore did not have a driver’s license and was asked to get of the car. Once out of the vehicle, police say there was a confrontation and the officer noticed Moore had a firearm in his waistband. Police state “The officer drew his duty weapon and fired striking Moore four times.Officers later recovered a semi-automatic 40 caliber Smith and Wesson.”
However, multiple witnesses list a different account. In an interview with the local Fox affiliate (Fox 10 News) , Willie Westbrook, who lives across the street, told his account.
“We thought it was a routine traffic stop, we were standing at the door looking at it,” said Westbrook. “Young man gets out with his cell phone in his hand and as soon as he gets out, he [the officer] shoots him. Young man falls back on the ground, he stands over him and shoots over him four more times, after he shoots him the fourth time, he says don’t move turn over. The guy couldn’t turn over, he flipped the guy over, put handcuffs on him, and stands over him with his gun and tells him don’t move, the guy couldn’t move.”
Westbrook’s godmother’s account was also different from the police statement. She states, The police was standing up by him as he got out of the car and when the boy got out of the car the police just shot the boy and the boy fell on the ground and the police stood over him and shot him 3 more times.”
The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation. Police were unable to determine if any bullets were discharged from Moore’s gun.
Sandy Stimpson , Mayor of Mobile, released this statement following the incident:
“Last night, a Mobile Police officer was involved in a fatal shooting just before 7 p.m. First and foremost, our prayers and condolences are with the family of Mike Moore. Any time a life is lost it is a tragedy. The incident is under investigation by the Mobile Police Department. We have called upon the FBI to run a parallel investigation with the MPD. I have complete confidence that the investigation will reveal the facts. I expect that this process will be as transparent as is legally possible. We ask for prayer and patience until the full facts are revealed.”
Interesting tidbits: Alabama is an open- carry state . Since August 1, 2013, the legal age to purchase a gun is 18 years of age. In some instances, a pistol permit is needed however, none is needed to have a gun in your car or home so long as you aren’t a criminal. You do need to pass a background check in order to purchase a gun.
-Niko Rose
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