“This is the first time that we thought: ‘This is, without question, a murder,'” Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said. "I'm treating him like a murderer"
On Wednesday, University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing was indicted for the shooting of Samuel DuBose, an unarmed black man, during a routine traffic stop on July 19.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced warrant for Tensing’s arrest has been issued.
Officer Tensing stopped Samuel Dubose, 43, at an intersection near the University of Cincinnati campus for driving without a front license plate. What would normally be a routine traffic stop has now turned into a murder of another unarmed black man.
According to police, Tensing asked for Dubose's driver's license, which Dubose did not provide. According to the police report filled by Tensing, Dubose sped off into traffic dragging the officer down the road. It was then that Tensing claims he fatally shot Dubose in the head because he was being dragged down the road.
The indictment marks the first of a Cincinnati police officer for killing a civilian, according to Deters. He called the shooting “senseless” and offered his condolences to DuBose’s family.
Body-Cam footage revealed that Tensing's account was false.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced warrant for Tensing’s arrest has been issued.
Officer Tensing stopped Samuel Dubose, 43, at an intersection near the University of Cincinnati campus for driving without a front license plate. What would normally be a routine traffic stop has now turned into a murder of another unarmed black man.
According to police, Tensing asked for Dubose's driver's license, which Dubose did not provide. According to the police report filled by Tensing, Dubose sped off into traffic dragging the officer down the road. It was then that Tensing claims he fatally shot Dubose in the head because he was being dragged down the road.
The indictment marks the first of a Cincinnati police officer for killing a civilian, according to Deters. He called the shooting “senseless” and offered his condolences to DuBose’s family.
Body-Cam footage revealed that Tensing's account was false.
“He was not dragged. If you slowed down this tape, you see what happened,” he said. “People want to believe that Mr. DuBose had done something violent towards the officer. He did not.”
The public has asked for the video to released. Prosecutor Deters has stated he did not release the video recording because he wanted to ensure Tensing remained consistent with his false account. Deters also showed the body-cam video to DuBose’s family first and is expected to released soon.
Later in the conference, DuBose’s mother, Audrey DuBose, similarly praised body cameras for proving what she already knew.
The push for body-cam and police accountability has spurred widespread support. In cases such as these it seems body-cameras have untold benefits.
Officer Tensing is currently on paid administrative leave and has a warrant out for his arrest. Deters has said that Tensing was a University of Cincinnati police officer and not a Cincinnati police officer and said this would never have happened with one of their officers.
People have been demonstrating in #BlackLivesMatter protests since DuBose’s death and his family urged activists on Wednesday to continue the fight peacefully.
Written By: Lauren B. I @laurenbeal
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