Black Man Shot By White Cop After Reaching For License Awarded $285k

Black Man Shot By White Cop After Reaching For His Wallet To Get License Awarded $285,000

A black South Carolina man who was shot by a white police officer after reaching for his wallet following instruction from the officer to get his license has been awarded $285,000 in settlement funds.

via The State News South Carolina

A Columbia motorist shot late last summer by an ex-Highway Patrol trooper in a confrontation that drew national attention has received a nearly $300,000 settlement from the state.

Levar Edward Jones was paid $285,000 through the state’s Insurance Reserve Fund, Scott Hawkins, spokesman for the fund said Tuesday. The settlement was reached Oct. 3, within a month of the Sept. 4 incident when trooper Sean Groubert fired shots at Jones after the officer pulled Jones over for not wearing a seat belt.

Jones, 35, is black and the unarmed motorist sustained a bullet wound to his hip. Groubert, 31, is white and was uninjured.

Video from the camera in Groubert’s patrol cruiser captured the traffic stop of Jones and the trooper firing his Glock from a few feet away.

Four bullets flew in five seconds after Jones reached into the cab of his burgundy and white Dodge Durango to retrieve what proved to be his wallet, the 51-minute recording shows. Groubert had asked Jones for his driver’s license.

“Why did you, why did you shoot me?” Jones is heard saying as he lay handcuffed on the gas station pavement moments after bullets flew. “I just grabbed my license. You said to get my license.”

“Well,” Groubert responded, “you dove headfirst back into your car. Then you jumped back out. I’m telling you to get outta your car.” Neither the trooper nor his attorney have publicly discussed the incident.

The shooting happened about 5 p.m. during afternoon rush hour along heavily traveled Broad River Road at Whitehurst Road.

Groubert also was charged with a felony, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. That charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

It really is a scary thought to think that you could be shot for doing EXACTLY as you are asked by a police officer. All the more reason why your attendance TO THIS is absolutely necessary.