More than two months after the broadcasted death of Philando Castile – killed by St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez – community members are remaining vigilant in their calls for justice.
This past week protesters took to multiple venues to voice their anger and frustration with the thus-far public inaction regarding Yanez’ status as an officer and having not yet been charged with a crime in the July 6 killing. As the calls for justice continue, authorities with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Ramsey County Attorney’s office say the investigation into the shooting is still ongoing with no timetable for a release of findings.
This past Tuesday, (Sept. 6) more than 100 people gathered outside of the St. Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Court House to protest in support of Castile, killed in a traffic stop in Falcon Heights. According to Diamond Reynolds, the girlfriend and passenger of Castile, Castile was told he was pulled over for a broken taillight, but leaked audio suggest the St. Paul Public Schools worker was pulled over because his “wide set nose” matched the description of a robbery suspect. Castile was legally armed at the time of the stop. The protesters briefly took to the streets before convening at a local park and later, back at the government building. The next day protesters and residents of Falcon Heights packed the Falcon Heights City Council meeting looking for answers. Those answers were not to be found.
“It’s been two months and they haven’t answered any questions,” said Chayntyll Allen. “It looks like the okiedoke. It’s the same situation as with Jamar Clark.”
Clark, an unarmed 24-year-old, was killed last November by Minneapolis Police. His death sparked a month’s long protest outside of the Minneapolis Police Department’s 4th Precinct headquarters. The arresting officers, Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, were cleared by Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman of any wrongdoing, sparking another wave of outrage.
Allen said she fears a similar outcome once the BCA and Ramsey County Attorney John Choi finish their investigations.
“I’m really not confident that Yanez will be prosecuted,” said Allen. “I really don’t trust the system at all.”
John Thompson, a friend and coworker of Castile, said his friend should still be alive.
“In Philando we’re talking about a man who loved everybody, a man who played video games … a man who played chess,” said Thompson. “And he was murdered for nothing.”
Thompson, who was at both Tuesday’s protest and Wednesday’s council meeting, said he left the side of his ailing mother to speak for Castile.
“My mother is in the hospital but this is so important I had to come,” said Thompson. “I’m Philando.”
Jill Oliveira, public information officer for the BCA, said there is no news to report in the investigation, stating it is still ongoing. Dennis Gerhardstein, public information officer for the Ramsey County Attorney, said it was initially anticipated that Choi’s office would have been presented with the BCA findings by now, but that is not the case.
“At the beginning of August it was stated that the investigation would take about 30 days. That was our best guess,” said Gerhardstein, who said Choi’s office in engaged in ongoing conversation with the BCA regarding the matter. He said once the findings are presented Choi will consult with a five-member team including outside attorney Don Lewis before announcing any decision in the matter.
In the interim, Yanez is again on administrative leave, following a brief return to duty. Yanez’ return outraged many, and in a reaction to that outrage St. Anthony Police Chief Jon Mangseth removed Yanez from the duty roster.
