'Disturbing' footage shows US officer asking to see man's driving licence and then shooting him a

Shocking video footage has emerged of the moment a US patrol officer asked to see a man’s driving licence and then shot him as he reached inside his car to get it.

In a case described as “disturbing” by South Carolina police, state trooper Sean Groubert, 31, pulled driver Levar Edward Jones over at a petrol station in Colombia for allegedly not wearing his seatbelt while driving.

When the 35-year-old reaches into his car to fetch it, Groubert suddenly shouts: "Get out of the car!” and then “get on the ground!” while firing four shots at him. At least one of the bullets hit Mr Jones in the hip, leaving him requiring hospital treatment.

'Disturbing' footage shows US officer asking to see man's driving licence and then shooting him as he tries to fetch it

The officer involved has been removed from duty and charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, according to the Independent. He faces 20 years in prison if convicted.

Having watched the video, i feel it is obvious that the state trooper had acted on impulse and in an aggressive manner. While the victim had perhaps reached into his car in a slightly erratic manner without informing the officer of his intentions, the trooper still shouldn't have used that level of force where he fired 4 bullets so quickly. 2 of those bullets were fired after the victim had backed away from the car, and held his hands in the air.

While the officer was quick to realise his mistakes and call for assistance, it is good to see that the South Carolina police force would take none of it and decided to take action against the officer involved.

Here's the video:

a reply to: daaskapital

While the victim had perhaps reached into his car in a slightly erratic manner without informing the officer of his intentions,

Yah, thats the crux of the matter. When being asked anything by a cop you never, ever suddenly turn and reach into your car without being specifically told.

Thats the "be very afraid " threshold for officers.

Got that everyone? Instead say, my wallets in the car and point.

I can't emphasize that enough. Never, ever reach for anything in your car without first expressly being told to.

These are the people they are intentionally hiring. They want state goons, and nothing more. So this is the goonish behavior we should only expect.

What's also disturbing is that I think the victim says "I'm sorry" for not wearing his seat belt at the 1:56 or so mark. He'd just been shot by a cop for doing absolutely nothing and yet still feels compelled to apologize?

The conditioning runs deep indeed. Of the twisted and repugnant sort.

When the 35-year-old reaches into his car to fetch it, Groubert suddenly shouts: "Get out of the car!” and then “get on the ground!” while firing four shots at him.

He shot him four times that close and only hit him in the hip? Training went right out the window on that one besides the "be very afraid" part. That LEO was clearly trigger happy as all heck but this is an example, with irrefutable evidence, of protocol clearly not being followed and it sounds like he will be going to jail based on the news article. A story to follow at the very least.

I always though that was why a lot of people stick their license in the sun shield so its quick to get hold of and pretty much theres no chance of putting a gun there so you can go "here you are officer" and quickly be on your way

From the Video

"What did I do Sir"

"Seat Belt Violation"

OMG FFS.

I think 20years will suit him perfectly!!!a reply to: James1970

Not a particularly clever way to reach for your license though.

Surely the lines "keep your hands where I can see them" and "no sudden movements" have been in enough movies that no one (never mind a young male) would behave like that.

I got pulled over for speeding in Cali whilst on holiday and immediately stopped, turned off the engine and put my hands on the steering wheel for the cop to see- seen too many liveleaks to risk doing otherwise.
When asked for my license I said "okay I'm getting my license" and did it slowly whilst maintaining eye contact...I know this and I live in a place where the cops dont have guns and have a reputation for shooting young people with little provocation.

originally posted by: NthOther
These are the people they are intentionally hiring. They want state goons, and nothing more. So this is the goonish behavior we should only expect.

What's also disturbing is that I think the victim says "I'm sorry" for not wearing his seat belt at the 1:56 or so mark. He'd just been shot by a cop for doing absolutely nothing and yet still feels compelled to apologize?

The conditioning runs deep indeed. Of the twisted and repugnant sort.

Honestly, given the climate of many U.S states where guns are so worshipped as an expression of freedom none of this behaviour by officers is surprising. This "goon" really is every man. If any of us, no matter how much training, were put into this role we could easily make the same errors. These officers have to deal every day with the stress and anxiety that may be they will not be coming home at the end of their shift and be taking a trip to the mortuary.

The U.S generally and in the majority wish to keep fire arms. As long as the police have to deal with an armed public these errors will continue, no matter how much training. Twitchy fingers and nervousness at what any suspect may be armed with, a very real prospect, is at the root of this problem.

If the U.S public were not armed there would be no reason to shoot first and ask questions later. As it stands the officers are forced to be highly tuned to the threat that they may be fired upon at any given moment.

This is the kind of policing that will never really be free of errors and mistakes. Yes, may be there are a few changes that can be made in terms of protocol when dealing with suspects, but you can bet it will have consequences where officers lives are put more at risk.

These incidents all relate to cause and effect. Change police behaviour at the risk of endangering officers. These are the conundrums facing the police when determining their tactics.

It is not my place to say no or yes to guns. I am just pointing out a reason or two as to why and how this current problem has originated.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: daaskapital

While the victim had perhaps reached into his car in a slightly erratic manner without informing the officer of his intentions,

Yah, thats the crux of the matter. When being asked anything by a cop you never, ever suddenly turn and reach into your car without being specifically told.

Thats the "be very afraid " threshold for officers.

Got that everyone? Instead say, my wallets in the car and point.

I can't emphasize that enough. Never, ever reach for anything in your car without first expressly being told to.

What you just said is a Rather Pathetic way to go about day to day life.

Reaching for your License without first asking for approval can now be a Death Sentence? So Sad.

originally posted by: James1970

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: daaskapital

While the victim had perhaps reached into his car in a slightly erratic manner without informing the officer of his intentions,

Yah, thats the crux of the matter. When being asked anything by a cop you never, ever suddenly turn and reach into your car without being specifically told.

Thats the "be very afraid " threshold for officers.

Got that everyone? Instead say, my wallets in the car and point.

I can't emphasize that enough. Never, ever reach for anything in your car without first expressly being told to.

What you just said is a Rather Pathetic way to go about day to day life.

Reaching for your License without first asking for approval can now be a Death Sentence? So Sad.

Agreed. What about those with anxiety, PTSD, hearing impediments, etc., who may reach for the for a wallet/license/paperwork, unknowing to the fact of this. Wow... no words.

a reply to: James1970

Reaching for your License without first asking for approval can now be a Death Sentence? So Sad.

I agree.

But in this case the officer had asked the "suspect" to step out. That was for officer safety and why they ask it.

It gives them room to breathe. Suddenly turning and going back in to the vehicle without being told is what generated the panic on officers part. Both of them over reacted it seems.

During my "outdoor" phase, I knew that the numerous traffic stops I had would go easier for me if set the officers demeanor at ease by dong a couple things. As he approaches the vehicle, I always placed both hands on the wheel in plain sight and kept them there until they told me otherwise. It reinforces in their mind I am no threat and understand their position of feeling safe on a dark road at night.

Such a simple thing and sooo important.

This is very unfortunate for the police officer. What a rough job.

Police officers are very often shot and killed in similar situations like this. A routine stop turns deadly in the blink of an eye.. a guy reaches in his glove box to get his "license and registration" but instead pulls a gun and fires. Or the suspect gets out of the vehicle with his hands where the officer can't see them, and quickly pulls out a gun and fires.

There is a very small amount of time an officer has to identify a gun, and take action, before they get shot. Any hesitation can mean their death. They know this, and because of this, accidents like shown in the OPs video happen. Suicide by cops happen. Etc.

An officer can either sit there and wait for a 100% positive ID on a gun (and determine real or fake gun in milliseconds), or they can get shot and killed. Hard choice to make.

Take this video for example:



Officers see videos like the above, and puts them all on edge. Especially when its their friends and family being shot and killed.

Is it the police officers fault? I don't think so. I honestly think its the responsibility of the people to know and understand what police officers deal with, and know how you should handle yourself around one. You always show your hands, don't make any quick movements, etc..

Otherwise, our police force will become extinct. Who in the right mind would want a job where you often have to make a choice... A: get shot and killed or B: go to jail for life for shooting someone because they made movements that appeared hostile.

If we ask police to hesitate, wait for 100% ID, they will get shot and killed left and right. Not everyone can be a super cop and do it 100% perfectly.

I don't know. Rough subject. I'm glad the guy that got shot is alive. Sucks to be the officer though... I would be on edge too after seeing my friends and family getting shot and killed in similar manners.

a reply to: James1970

It's like that scene from the Stallone version of Judge Dredd... "Happy motoring".

Holy crap! I can see that the officer responded to the fact that the man reached inside his car, but the first response ought to have been to shout STOP! The second response should have been two rounds, not four.

a reply to: TrueBrit

Maybe the US Government needs to release a few "Educational Video's" of how to conduct yourself once your being pulled over.

Want to Live when pulled over for traffic violations? Obey these Simple Instructions. A message brought to you by your friendly yet sometime nervous Law Enforcement Department.

a reply to: James1970

Unfortunately, that is not a bad idea. Even though I know you are being sarcastic.

In a world where we have cop haters and killers gunning down cops left and right, what do you expect? You expect cops to trust you and everyone?

If the U.S public were not armed there would be no reason to shoot first and ask questions later. As it stands the officers are forced to be highly tuned to the threat that they may be fired upon at any given moment.

Nice try buddy, but this is one specific asshole who could have waited to even see what he had in his hands. Trust me you will see it with plenty of time to fill em with lead if he was armed in those seconds before he can even get a vantage point. It almost sounded like you were going to politicize this particular incident, I am glad to see you chose to remain neutral.

That's bull# I sure as hell would not have #ing apologized to this ignoramus. #ting me.

originally posted by: James1970
From the Video

"What did I do Sir"

"Seat Belt Violation"

OMG FFS.

got to get the dangerous criminals off the street..........

hang on a second just exactly who are the dangerous criminals...

this is what happens when we have a system for profit...the police no longer protect and serve they collect and punish....sad and it will only get worse while we are driven by a system for profit

a reply to: intrptr

But in this case the officer had asked the "suspect" to step out. That was for officer safety and why they ask it.

This stop was initiated in a parking lot, not on a street and the cop didn't ask the guy to step out of his vehicle. The driver looks to me like he didn't even realize he was being pulled over until the cop asked him for his license.

It was an illegal stop from the start and there's nothing that can justify what happened here, nothing at all. Everything that was done wrong here was done wrong by the cop and the cop only.

Nevermind the number of shots that were fired toward the store and he only clipped the guy in the hip? This is extremely sad and that moron should never have been issued a gun or a badge.

South Carolinans are about to be hit hard in the Pocket...Again. Stop this M.A.D.ness


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