Stephon Clark's Independent Autopsy Report Reveals Multiple Gunshots to the Back

The results of the autopsy, initiated by Clark's family, appear to contradict the police claim. Dr. Omalu says his findings clearly refute the information from the Sacramento Police Department that says Clark was moving towards officers when they shot at him. Police said the officers feared he had a gun, but that he was later found to have been holding a cellphone.

Benjamin Crump, an attorney for Clark's family who spoke before Omalu on Friday, said the autopsy findings contradicted the police narrative of Clark's death.

An autopsy conducted by the Sacramento County Coroner earlier this week on Clark's body determined the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of death was a homicide, according to a preliminary autopsy report. "Each one of these bullets independently possessed a fatal capacity", said Omalu, who is known for identifying and describing the first instance of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, in professional athletes.

The findings were released amid growing protests in California's capital city over the death of Clark, who was shot in his grandparents' backyard by officers responding to a call about a suspect breaking auto windows.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.

The autopsy was released a day after an emotional funeral service at which the Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, delivered the eulogy. The incident was captured on a body cam video released by police on Wednesday. "From the time this investigation began, statements provided by the Sacramento Police Department have proven to be self-serving, untrustworthy and unreliable".

The Sacramento police department is conducting an investigation into Clark's death, while the Sacramento County district attorney's office is also conducting its own review. "And it is possible they felt he was still reaching for what they thought was a gun".

Dr. Omalu said the autopsy suggested that Mr. Clark lived for three to 10 minutes after the shooting, adding to questions about the amount of time it took to get him treatment.

Police said they were responding to reports that a man dressed in a hooded sweatshirt was breaking auto windows. "To me, (they) could be Stephon Clark".

Clark was laid to rest on Thursday, at a public service that was held at BOSS church in south Sacramento.

The first shot by Sacramento police officers hit Clark in the left side and back of the chest, with the bullet's propulsion probably forcing him to spin around so that his back faced the officers completely, Omalu said.

Outside experts who have examined the case say it will be hard to determine whether the officers could be held criminally accountable.

Seth Stoughton, a University of SC law professor and former Tallahassee, Fla., police officer who studies police shootings, said that "watching the helicopter video, it seems the officers are shooting after (Clark) is down on the ground".

"The remainder shots were IN HIS BACK!"

But "just because someone is on the ground, it does not mean they are not a threat", he said. One of the big questions we all have to ask is: "'What do we need to do for these shooting to stop?'"

"We are deeply saddened by the events associated with Stephon Clark's death, and will continue to do our part to make sure the community is healthy, safe and inclusive", the statement continued. Six of those shot hit him in the back.

Related News:

26 March 2018

Thousands of civil servants strike in France over Macron's planned reforms
Railway workers are anxious by government plans to scrap job-for-life guarantees, automatic annual pay rises and generous early retirement.

25 March 2018

Messi strong injury doubt for Italy game
It was Italy's first match since failing to qualify for the World Cup and the debut of interim coach Luigi Di Biagio. The Super Eagles will take on Argentina in their last Group D game at the 2018 World Cup in Saint Petersburg.

24 March 2018

Progress slow in Trump's push to re-write Iran nuclear deal
President Donald Trump appears increasingly willing to defy some of his top generals, as his administration grapples with how best to deal with Iran .
30 March 2018

Oklahoma City schools release teacher walkout plan after pay raise measure passes
She heard from students about how their schools are preparing for the teacher strike. Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere .

29 March 2018

Kenyan Govt Tries To Deport Opposition Politician Again - lawyer
The rights official said that up to 100 police officers beat up journalists and opposition supporters during the confrontation. Miguna was at Odinga's side when the opposition leader took an oath as the "people's president" at the mock inauguration.

28 March 2018

Dow surges almost 700 points as trade war fears cool
Benchmark US crude declined 30 cents to settle at $65.25 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The S&P 500 fell 55 points, or 2.1 percent, and the Nasdaq dropped 174 points, or 2.4 percent.
01 April 2018

One Mega Millions victor on ticket bought in New Jersey
Friday's 11pm ET (11am Singapore time) jackpot drawing was for the 10th largest prize ever offered in the United States. Lines at convenience stores were several deep throughout Friday, as people got their hands on Mega Millions tickets.

31 March 2018

Jackson and Olding remain suspended pending review
I don't agree with her perception of events and I maintain that everything that happened on that evening was consensual. On Wednesday, the pair were found not guilty after the jury deliberated for almost four hours.

28 March 2018

Nvidia pauses its self-driving auto tests in wake of Uber crash
This data is processed just like it is actually coming from the sensors of a auto on the road-at speeds of 30 times per second. He referenced an incident last week where a pedestrian died after being struck by a self-driving auto in Arizona.
27 March 2018

Virgil Abloh named Louis Vuitton's men's wear designer
Now based in the US, Abloh is already making plans to move his whole family to Paris to start his new role at Louis Vuitton . And he has touched turntables in the most envious parts of the world, including Milan, where his fashion label is based.

24 March 2018

Liverpool increase asking price for Mohamed Salah
Liverpool FC will return to Premier League action after the worldwide break when they take on Crystal Palace on 31 March. Kewell added, "He has this unbelievable dribbling ability, and defenders are scared of it".

23 March 2018

World No 1 Dustin Johnson in tough group at Match Play
You don't want to pick players that are all within the same group, since only one golfer makes it out of each group. The bombings have led to what appears to be stepped-up security at this week's 64-man matchplay event.