News
News

Police shootings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile spark outrage on social media

By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
July 7, 2016

Just one day after the fatal July 5 police shooting of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, another African-American man is dead after a police shooting in Falcon Heights, Minnesota.

A graphic video appears to show the moment that a police officer fatally shot Alton Sterling, 37, early Tuesday outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge. Protests have since erupted at the scene of the shooting with protesters chanting "Black lives matter" and "No justice, no peace." 

In a separate police shooting on Wednesday, Philando Castile, 32, was pulled over because his vehicle had a broken taillight, according to his girlfriend  in a viral live video that captured footage of the incident.  The video has received over 2 million views and the aftermath of both shooting incidents have sparked outrage on social media and the trending topics #WarOnUS, #AltonSterling and #PhilandoCastile on Twitter.

About the Author

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More Stories

Keep Reading

A Korean Air plane takes off from Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. The plane is chartered to bring back Korean workers detained in an immigration raid in Georgia. (Yonhap via AP)

Credit: AP

Talks continue over release of detained Korean workers. Departure uncertain.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said the charter flight to transport the workers from Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon had been canceled. But, plans may change.

The Latest

Michael Collins was the director of the racial justice group Color Of Change before heading up Play Fair ATL.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

A.M. ATL: It’s fair game

Sweet Tea: Strike up the band

AJC VARSITY

High school scoreboard: Friday night’s football action around the state

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

A Braves fan took a ball to the face. The team may be liable, judges say.

The Atlanta Braves and former right fielder Jorge Soler face a lawsuit by a fan hit in the eye with a ball during a World Series game at Truist Park in 2021.

Joro spiders multiply across Georgia, spinning their pesky webs

The invasive species has multiplied rapidly in Atlanta in the last three years, research shows.

Ford settles billion-dollar Georgia lawsuits over fatal wrecks

Ford Motor Co. has settled two Georgia lawsuits that elicited record-setting jury verdicts of $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion, ending more than a decade of litigation.