Thread: South Carolina Unarmed Man Shot Over Seatbelt Stop

A US State Trooper has been caught on camera shooting an unarmed man after pulling him over for not wearing a seatbelt — but the cop says it was justified.

Former South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper Sean Groubert faces 20 years in prison if convicted of wrongfully shooting the motorist at a petrol station on September 4.



The 31-year-old, voted South Carolina Trooper of the Year in 2007, was fired from the force last week but insists he did the right thing.
“We believe the shooting was justified. We look forward to our day in court,” Mr Groubert’s lawyer told the court on Wednesday.
The shocking incident caused shock waves around the world after the dashboard video went viral.
Video showed Mr Groubert pulling over Levar Jones, 35, and ordering him to show his driver’s licence.
When Mr Jones reached into his car, Mr Groubert began shouting and opened fire with his semiautomatic handgun.
Mr Jones staggered away after being shot in the hip and raised his hands over his head.
As Mr Jones cried in pain waiting for an ambulance, he repeated one question: “Why did you shoot me?”
Mr Groubert responded, “Well you dove head first back into your car.”
Mr Groubert is white and Mr Jones is black.

The former trooper has been charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, a felony that carries up to 20 years in prison. He was released after paying 10 per cent of a $75,000 bond.
Mr Groubert’s lawyer, Barney Giese, said the shooting was justified because the trooper feared for his life and the safety of others.
Meanwhile, Mr Jones is recovering. He released a statement last week saying he hopes his shooting leads to changes in how police officers treat suspects.
“I thank God every day that I am here with a story to tell and hope my situation can make a change,” Mr Jones said.
He and his lawyer have not spoken publicly since Mr Groubert was charged on Wednesday.
Mr Groubert’s boss, state Public Safety Director Leroy Smith, called the video “disturbing” and said “Groubert reacted to a perceived threat where there was none”

South Carolina Highway Patrol trooper shoots unarmed motorist after pulling him over for not wearing a seatbelt

Bet you the cop is a ex-GI,

These fellas are Time bombs waiting to explode, though they keep on accepting them.

No offence to any ex-Gis its just i was reading in some detail about it some time ago.

That is just crazy. No excuse. Who in their right mind would think the driver was a threat? Hope the trigger happy trooper spends plenty of time in jail.

Originally Posted by Yasojack

Bet you the cop is a ex-GI,

These fellas are Time bombs waiting to explode, though they keep on accepting them.

No offence to any ex-Gis its just i was reading in some detail about it some time ago.

Doubt it, or he is one crap shot.

Seems to happen every couple weeks in the US nowadays. White cop shoots black citizen. I thought cops were trained to control a situation without shooting 1st.

and ex-Gis are trained to shoot first.

What a prick. Hope he spends a long time inside.

Originally Posted by Yasojack

and ex-Gis are trained to shoot first.

True, but these are exactly the type the establishment wants. Not afraid to turn the gun on their own when ordered to!

Not a very good shot is he.

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

Originally Posted by Yasojack

and ex-Gis are trained to shoot first.

True, but these are exactly the type the establishment wants. Not afraid to turn the gun on their own when ordered to!

Seems so. The US sometimes appears to have declared war on it's own citizens. Those Blackwater-type mercenary guys coming back from staged conflicts round the world have 'first-dibs' on domestic policing jobs these days, or what?

Surely the instruction manual goes something like this.

Sir Step away from the car

Sir do you realise you where not wearing a seat belt

Sir Can i see your drivers license.

But nah just show license, and then fek it he's a threat shoot him,jeez the worlds policemen

It's time the police forces in certain states removed the intimidating uniforms and wore something that more closely demonstrates their willingness to work with the public.

I thought the guy was very polite when asking why he had been shot.

Originally Posted by Necron99

I thought the guy was very polite when asking why he had been shot.

Well would you shout at the bloke who just shot you and still has a gun in his hand?

I think he must of thought he was on candid camera.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Originally Posted by Necron99

I thought the guy was very polite when asking why he had been shot.

Well would you shout at the bloke who just shot you and still has a gun in his hand?

I don't think a single word out of my mouth would be printable....

Originally Posted by Necron99

Mr Groubert’s lawyer, Barney Giese, said the shooting was justified because the trooper feared for his life and the safety of others.

safety of others?
so he fires about 4 shots in a public place ...
would have been funny if he had blown the whole gas station up .

shot guys problem is he had a spring in his step

Originally Posted by blue

Originally Posted by Necron99

Mr Groubert’s lawyer, Barney Giese, said the shooting was justified because the trooper feared for his life and the safety of others.

safety of others?
so he fires about 4 shots in a public place ...
would have been funny if he had blown the whole gas station up .

shot guys problem is he had a spring in his step

Feck me, what's up with you? I would have thought you would be berating him for not killing the blackie.

Originally Posted by Yasojack

Bet you the cop is a ex-GI,

Tradition of American police systems to recruit heavily from the armed forces, as the mindset is similar.

All mad as hatters.

Driving while black.
Walking while black.
Not wearing a seatbelt while black.

I have read somewhere that if your IQ is over 100 the police don't want you because it would be a waste of money to train somebody smart enough to know its a shit job.

Dear N is at it again- scouring the net for anti American propaganda to post on Truculent Door. The true story is that the cop exploded a dirty nuclear bomb and five million people were toast in NYC. Why do you always leave out the juicy parts N?

Talking trash about the USA gives meaning to the sad, miserable lives of some TD posters.

Stop the press! A Homeland Security agent just shot a young Palestinian girl attempting to clear Chicago Immigration!!! Why? Because the girl refused to sing the Star Spangled Banner...

Even more shocking was that the bullet ricocheted and subsequently killed another 3 billion innocent people!!!

N, what are you holding back and not reporting these stories?

Are US police able to stop drivers for not wearing a seat-belt whilst on private property? Which appears to be the fact in this case. Surely, if the guy wasn't on a public highway then the cop's fooked.

Don't blame me, blame google news.
And cracker cops who shoot unarmed civilians with no cause.
I also post alot about little girls being gang raped and burnt alive in India and Pakistan if that makes you feel better.

Tell you what Bud, next time a cop from Oz, NZ or the UK shoots an unarmed civilian going about his lawful business I'll be the first to post it here with a big shoutout to you. Ok?