Video After The Jump
What should have been a routine traffic stop turned into an unjustified shooting of a citizen in Columbia, South Carolina.
Prosecutors just released dash cam footage of the incident that happened on September 4th. State Trooper Sean Groubert pulled in behind 35-year old African American Levar Jones, who had stopped at a Circle K convenience store. After Jones exited his vehicle, Groubert asked to see his license.
Sean Groubert
Jones turns around and reaches inside his vehicle for his I.D. At that point Groubert screams "get out the car," twice before firing four shots
“I just got my license. You said get my license,” Jones says. “I grabbed my license. Right there, that’s my license.”
“Put your hands behind your back,” Groubert tells him, as he walks over to cuff the innocent man.
Groubert asks him if he is hit.
“I think so, I can’t feel my leg," the injured man replied. "I don’t know what happened. I just grabbed my license. Why did you shoot me?”
“Well, you dove headfirst back into your car,” he said.
According to WLTX, Groubert was fired on September 19 by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety after a review of the State Law Enforcement Division report. DPS Director Leroy Smith said Groubert did not follow protocol when he shot Jones.
Sean Groubert mug shot
Groubert, 31, was arrested Wednesday, September 24, and booked into Richland County Detention Center. Bond was set at $75,000.
He's been charged with felony assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. He has since bailed out of jail.
Groubert will appear in court on October 24. He's facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Jones is said to be recovering from a shot to the hip.
News report
Dash cam footage of shooting
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