BERKELEY, Mo. — The attorney for a suburban St. Louis police officer who shot and killed an 18-year-old says his client is lucky to be alive.
The Berkeley, Mo., officer, whose name has not been released, fatally shot Antonio Martin late Tuesday. Police say surveillance video shows Martin pointing a gun at the officer, who was questioning him about a theft at a convenience store.
The officer stumbled backward but fired three shots, one of which struck Martin, Belmar said. No shots came from Martin’s loaded gun, the chief said. Martin died at the scene, though Belmar declined to specify where the fatal bullet hit him.
Attorney Brian Millikan says the officer is shaken, but is absolutely certain he had no choice but to use lethal force.
The shooting, the fourth in the region since August involving a white officer who killed a young black man, led to a violent protest.
More than 50 police officers, some in riot gear, responded. Video showed some wrestling with protesters. Belmar said officers used pepper spray but not tear gas. Four people were arrested on charges of assaulting officers.
Some protesters questioned why the officer couldn’t use pepper spray or a stun gun on Martin.
“Frankly, that’s unreasonable,” Belmar said. “When we had somebody pointing a gun at a police officer, there’s not a lot of time.”
