Florida cop shoots unarmed black man with hands in the air

In Florida this week, a North Miami police officer shot a black man — lying flat on his back on the ground with his hands in the air. FSRN’s Nell Abram has more.

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Officers responded to a 911 call about a man with a gun threatening to kill himself. The man was an autistic patient at a nearby group home, who had walked away from the facility, carrying a toy truck.

When police arrived, a staff member from the facility, 47-year-old African-American Charles Kinsey, was trying to calm his ward. Officers ordered the men to lie down.

Video of the incident shows that Kinsey complied, with his hands in the air, explaining the situation as he did so. According to Kinsey, officers then shot him, handcuffed him and left him lying on the pavement.

The head of the Dade County Police Benevolent Association, John Rivera, told reporters that the officer was actually trying to protect Kinsey, and shot the wrong man. The still unnamed officer is now on paid leave and a probe is underway. Mr. Kinsey is recovering.

Meanwhile in Baton Rouge, a memorial service was held Thursday night for the three police officers killed there last Sunday. A lone gunman, 29-year-old African American Gavin Long, ambushed the officers before being shot himself.

Louisiana State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson: “There is no doubt whatsoever that these officers were intentionally targeted and assassinated.”

Three other officers were injured in the attack; and the death toll may yet rise.