Police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, allegedly saw the butt of a gun in Alton Sterling's pocket and saw him attempt to reach for it during the events that lead to his unfortunate shooting death last week, according to an affidavit for a search warrant filed in the case.
Blane Salamoni, a four-year veteran of the Baton Rouge Police Department, and Howie Lake II, a three-year veteran, both white men, were placed on paid administrative leave following the shooting.
"When the subject attempted to reach for the gun from his pocket the officers fired their police issued duty weapon at the subject to stop the threat," the document reads.