(WBRZ News 2) One of two Baton Rouge police officers involved in the shooting death of Alton Sterling has been fired, Police Chief Murphy Paul revealed Friday.
The announcement comes just days after Attorney General Jeff Landry said the state would not pursue charges against officers Howie Lake and Blane Salamoni. The two have been at the center of state and federal investigations for the past two years over the 2016 shooting, which stirred up massive protests in Baton Rouge.
After the state announced its decision to not charge the officers Tuesday, Paul said he would decide on disciplinary action by the end of the week. On Friday, Paul said Salamoni (pictured) would be terminated for how he handled the encounter with Sterling.
Paul added that Lake would be suspended for three days for failing to maintain his composure during the incident.
Members of the Sterling family, who were shown the body camera footage during the federal investigation last year, often described Salamoni as the aggressor in the confrontation, claiming his actions escalated the situation.
Along with the chief's decision, BRPD has also released the body camera, car and surveillance footage from the night of the shooting. It marks the first time the footage has been officially released in the more than 20 months following the shooting.
(WARNING: FOOTAGE BELOW IS GRAPHIC)