Lawyer: Cop thought Philando Castile was robbery suspect
MINNEAPOLIS -- A lawyer for a suburban Minnesota police officer who killed a black driver says his client pulled the man over in part because he believed he resembled a suspect in a robbery.
Philando Castile had no felony record and authorities have not said he was a suspect in any crime.
But attorney Thomas Kelly tells the Star Tribune newspaper that Officer Jeronimo Yanez thought 32-year-old Castile looked like someone police had been seeking in a recent robbery.
Castile's girlfriend and her young daughter were in the vehicle. His girlfriend has said Castile was reaching for his wallet when he was shot, after telling officers he had a gun and a permit for it. The woman filmed the aftermath of the shooting live on Facebook.
A Minnesota medical examiner ruled Castile's death a homicide. The shooting has led to days of protests throughout Minnesota and the country.
Kelly told The Associated Press that Yanez was reacting to seeing that gun when he drew his own weapon.