Michael Moore - Mobile on EBWiki

Agencies: Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI | Mobile Police Department Alabama

Cause of death: Shooting

Last updated: over 5 years ago

People tracking this case: 1 -- Click here to Track this.

Overview

The fatal shooting happened following a routine traffic stop. Around 6:15PM, a Mobile police officer pulled over the car that Moore was driving near Stanton Road and Wagner Street. There were two other people inside.

The office reported that Moore didn't have a valid license and asked him to step out of the vehicle. Once out of the vehicle, police report there was a brief confrontation and the officer noticed Moore had a handgun on his waist. The officer pulled his gun and shot Moore four times. He was taken to the hospital and later died.

ORIGINAL STORY:

As the Mobile Police Department, along with the FBI, continue their separate investigations into Monday night's deadly officer-involved shooting, an eye witness is telling a different story of how 19-year-old Michael Moore died.

Balloons, flowers and teddy bears now mark the area off Stanton Road where Moore was killed. Wednesday, Local 15's Christian Jennings spoke with the man who says he witnessed it all from across the street.

"It's been traumatizing," said Willie Westbrook, who said Tuesday's press conference at MPD Headquarters didn't sit well with him.

"What the chief said was not what happened here," said Westbrook.

Chief James Barber said the officer who shot Moore did so after Moore reached for a gun in his waistband. The chief told reporters that the officer fired three initial shots, and then fired one more shot after the young man fell to the ground, but reached for his gun again.

Westbrook said that's not what he saw.

"Once he got out of the car, I don't know what verbal confrontation went on, I just know I saw the officer put his hands on his side and my godmother hollers don't shoot that boy, don't shoot that boy, don't shoot that boy. He shoots him. After he shoots him he drops back, looks back at the kid, busts three more rounds in to him. I never saw him reach for a weapon and I never saw the officer retrieve a weapon off the body. He rolled him over, handcuffed him and that's how he left that body," said Westbrook.

Police said two other people were in the car with Moore when the officer pulled them over. According to police, those witnesses confirmed that Moore did indeed have a gun. But only the officer's statement mentioned Moore reaching for that weapon in his waistband.

"The officer gives several commands to keep away from your weapon. At that time the officer indicates that the driver tries to gain access to the firearm and three shots are fired," said Chief Barber on Tuesday.

There is no video of the traffic stop and shooting.

"I'm not saying all officers are bad. I'm just saying this is an incident where the officer overreacted and it cost someone their life," said Westbrook.

Police said they're still investigating where Moore got the gun. They also tell Local 15 News that the car Moore was driving was reported stolen a few days prior. The owner of the car has no ties to Moore.

There will be a vigil on Stanton Road for Moore Saturday night at 7.

Chief Barber says it’s nonetheless unclear if there’s video of the incident however says it’s unlikely because the officer concerned was simply approaching his shift and hadn’t but been to the station the place the physique cameras are sometimes left on chargers. That’s one thing that one metropolis council member says has to vary.

“So long as an officer is driving a police automotive, and he has a uniform on, and he’s going to be stopping individuals, and policing individuals, he wants a physique digital camera,” stated Fred Richardson who represents the world the place the capturing occurred.