Video Of Philando Castile's Shooting Death Shocks The World
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The video of Philando Castile's deadly traffic stop had been seen by thousands within two hours of the Facebook post.
What happened Wednesday night in Falcon Heights has the attention of the world Thursday.
Diamond Reynolds told WCCO she wanted people to see for themselves what was happening to her and her boyfriend, and now 3.7 million people and counting have.
"Stay with me. We got pulled over for a busted tail light in the back and he's covered … they killed my boyfriend. He's licensed to carry," Reynolds said in the video. "He was trying to get out his ID and his wallet out his pocket and he let the officer know that he had a firearm and he was reaching for his wallet and the officer just shot him in his arm."
Reynolds logged onto Facebook, broadcasting live as her boyfriend lay bleeding beside her -- and the officer's arms frozen in position.
"I told him not to reach for it! I told him to get his head up!" said the officer in the video.
Reynolds' composure is in stark contrast to the officer.
"He had, you told him to get his ID, sir, his driver's license. Please don't tell me he's dead," she said.
The officer than swears loudly in the video.
"Please don't tell me my boyfriend just went like that," Reynolds said.
She then loses control of her phone for several minutes, and emotion takes over her calm narration.
"Please don't tell me he's gone! Please Jesus no! Please no! Don't let him be gone, Lord!" Reynolds said. "Please, he's a good man! He works for St. Paul Public Schools!"
Minutes later, she is back on screen in a police cruiser, and calmly gives a recap.
"My phone is about to die. I'm on Larpenteur and Fry and the Roseville Police Department just shot my boyfriend. They shot him four times. He has a license to carry. We had a busted tail light. And we had some weed in the car, that's about it," she said.
It was an account Reynolds said she wanted to share with the world.
"Y'all please pray for us, Jesus, please y'all. I ask everybody on Facebook, everybody that's watching, everybody that's tuned in, please pray for us," she said.
And so many prayers no doubt have been said for this family. Minnesota politicians have been expressing grief and sympathy Thursday.
Rep. Keith Ellison called what happened "horrific." Sen. Al Franken says he is "heartbroken," nad Sen. Amy Klobuchar called the shooting "tragic."
All three are in agreement that Castile's death needs to be thoroughly investigated.
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