The Hamilton County prosecutor has indicted University of Cincinnati (UC) officer Ray Tensing, 25, for fatally shooting Sam Dubose, 43.
Dubose, who is black and was unarmed at the time of the incident, was shot and killed July 19 by Tensing during a traffic stop. Tensing and a fellow officer claim he was dragged by the vehicle Dubose was driving, which prompted Tensing to shoot Dubose in the head. Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters, however, says Tensing was not dragged. He alleges the officer fell backwards after shooting Dubose.
A body-cam video shown to reporters showed Tensing running after Dubose’s slowly moving car.
Watch the Video (warning: graphic content)
“This office has probably reviewed upwards of hundreds of police shootings, and this is the first time that we’ve thought this is without question a murder,” Deter said in a press conference. “This is the most asinine act I’ve ever seen a police officer make, totally unwarranted.”
He also claims the traffic stop that lead to the shooting was “a pretty chicken-crap stop.” Tensing pulled Dubose over for not having a front license plate. The driver wouldn’t provide his driver’s license and had an open bottle of alcohol. Deter also says that Tensing didn’t give Dubose simple, nonviolent orders.
UC cancelled classes Wednesday in light of the expected announcement about the charges. As far as policies and MOUs with other law enforcement agencies are concerned, the school will also no longer allow campus police to make arrests off-campus. Tensing was also fired on Wednesday.
Deters said the school should not have its own police force and that the city’s police department should take over campus security because they are better trained.
UPDATE: 2 Responding Officers in u. of Cincy Case Will Not Be Charged
