A former South Carolina state trooper is facing a 20-year sentence for shooting an unarmed man earlier this month at a gas station for no reason.
Sean Groubert, 31, was booked Wednesday afternoon at the Richland County Detention Center with a bond of $75,000. Fifth Circuit Solicitor's office charged him with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
He shot 35-year-old Levar Jones for no reason at the Circle K at Broad River Road after a traffic stop Sept. 4.
According to warrant, audio and visual recordings through dashcam and written statements, the shooting of 35-year-old Levar Jones was unjustified, reports the New York Daily News. Groubert was fired from South Carolina Department of Public Safety following a state report that had witness and electronic device information.
Department of Public Safety Director Leroy Smith said Groubert did not follow protocol while shooting Jones. "The facts of this case are disturbing to me, but I believe this case was an isolated incident in which Groubert reacted to a perceived threat where there was none. The department's Use of Force Policy makes clear that officers shall use 'only the level of force necessary to accomplish lawful objectives' and that 'the use of force must be discontinued when it becomes apparent to the officer that the force is no longer needed.' That protocol was not followed in this case," Smith said.
The dashcam video of the incident shows Groubert asking Jones to get out of his car, which Jones does. The trooper then asks for his license. As Jones reached in to his vehicle to get his license, Groubert fired shots at Jones screaming "get out of the car." Jones sustained a hip injury and is recovering at a hospital, according to his attorney, reports USA Today.
