Governor: 'Justice will be served in Minnesota' in shooting of Philando Castile

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has called for a federal investigation into the shooting of Philando Castile by a St. Anthony police officer during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights.

Protesters marched from the scene of the shooting at Larpenteur Avenue and Fry Street to the governor’s mansion in St. Paul overnight. Many protestors said they would not go home until Gov. Dayton gave a statement. Shortly after 10 a.m., the governor joined the NAACP to address the deadly shooting.

“On behalf of all decent-minded Minnesotans, which are almost all of us in this state, we’re shocked and horrified by what occurred last night,” Dayton said.

The governor punctuated his remarks by saying “justice will be served in Minnesota.”

Statement from Gov. Mark Dayton

“I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of Philando Castile. Our state today grieves with them.

“This morning, I spoke by phone with White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough to request that the U.S. Department of Justice begin an immediate independent federal investigation into this matter.

“Overnight, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension began an independent investigation at the state level. They are currently collecting all necessary evidence, and interviewing witnesses, to determine what happened, and to assure that justice in this case is served. I will do everything in my power to help protect the integrity of that investigation, to ensure a proper and just outcome for all involved.”

Statement from U.S. Sen. Al Franken

“I am horrified and heartbroken by the death of Philando Castile. I am horrified that we are forced to confront yet another death of a young African-American man at the hands of law enforcement. And I am heartbroken for Philando’s family and loved ones, whose son, brother, boyfriend, and nephew was taken from them last night. They deserve nothing less than a full and independent investigation into Philando’s death by the Department of Justice. As Philando’s mother said this morning, 'All we want is justice.' We need to make sure that justice is pursued swiftly and thoroughly in this case, and we must also recognize that it is our job as lawmakers to help address and dismantle the systemic racial inequalities that lead to far too many of these deaths.”

What happened

Philando Castile, 32, was shot and killed by a St. Anthony police officer during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minnesota at approximately 9 p.m. Wednesday night, July 6. A graphic video streamed live on Facebook by Castile’s girlfriend captured the aftermath of shooting from inside the car.

Sgt. Jon Mangseth, interim chief of the St. Anthony Police Department, confirmed at least one St. Anthony police officer shot a man inside his car during a traffic stop at Larpenteur Avenue and Fry Street.

Family members identified the victim as Castile, as a cafeteria supervisor at J.J. Hill Montessori School for the past 10 years. Castile’s girlfriend, Diamond "Lavish" Reynolds, and her daughter were also inside the car, but were not injured. Mangseth said he did not yet know why police initially stopped the vehicle.

Mangseth said he is aware of a Facebook video taken by Reynolds inside the car shortly after the shooting took place. In the nearly 10-minute long video, Reynolds tells the camera she and Castile were pulled over for a broken tail light. She says Castile was reaching for his ID and wallet when he was shot.

KEEP READING – Transcript of Facebook video streamed live after Philando Castile shooting