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What We’re Hearing From You: Community Reacts To Sacramento District Attorney’s Decision Not To Charge Officers In Stephon Clark’s Death

  •  Kacey Sycamore 
Saturday, March 2, 2019 | Sacramento, CA
Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

Black Lives Matter protesters demonstrate outside the Sacramento police station on Freeport Boulevard following the District Attorney's announcement that criminal charges would not be filed against officers in the Stephon Clark case.

Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

Reactions from Sacramento community members ranged from disgust to pride following Sacramento County District Attorney Anne-Marie Schubert’s announcement that her office would not file criminal charges against the police officers who shot and killed Stephon Clark.

Clark was killed last March after being pursued by officers into his grandmother’s Meadowview backyard. Police said they believed he had a gun, but he was later found with only a cell phone.

(Read more background here)

We asked for your responses to the DA’s decision. Here’s some of what we’ve heard so far:

‘Intended To Vilify’

Several community members expressed dismay at DA Schubert’s discussion of Clark’s personal life in her presentation.

Lenore Minasian on Twitter wrote, “I think the DA’s presentation was partially intended to vilify Mr Clark. That was shameful. He lost his life and then lost his dignity. Shame on the Sacramento officials.”

I think the DAs presentation was partially intended to vilify Mr Clark. That was shameful. He lost his life and then lost his dignity. Shame on the Sacramento officials.

— Lenore Minasian (@PupperoniA) March 2, 2019

Another listener who called into our Google Voice number said any anger Clark may have felt was irrelevant to his death.

“No matter what Stephon Clark was going through in his private life has nothing to do with losing his life,” she said.

A woman who identified herself as a 64-year-old white woman from Carmichael agreed, adding that Schubert did not similarly discuss the officers’ personal lives.

“I'm particularly disgusted with the way she discussed the case and really gave us no information about the officers’ personal lives or text messages or domestic violence situations or toxicology reports,” she said. “It was very disappointing but not surprising.”

They did not look at the officers' toxicology or what was weighing heavily on their minds in their personal lives or why they shot Clark seven times and did not provide medical attention and muted their body cameras.

— jakirika (@antiphrast) March 2, 2019

‘We Must Stand Behind Our Law Enforcement’

Some of those we heard from were supportive of the DA’s decision not to charge the officers involved.

Gary, who called our Google Voice line, said he was “very proud of our district attorney.”

“We must stand behind our law enforcement,” he said. “Those officers are not guilty of anything. They are commendable officers. They were put in the line of grave disability if they were shot.”

A Sacramento business owner named Chris also said he believes the shooting was justified.

“He did a crime. He didn't comply with the officers. The officers’ lives matter as well as black lives — sometimes more,” he said in a voice message.

‘Other Consequences’

Several more people who called in to CapRadio commented on what will happen from here.

A caller named Jim said he thinks “that there's going to be a lot of hatred going on in Sacramento.”

“It's a sad thing because the world does not need more hatred anyway,” he said.

A listener named Patty asked about other potential consequences for the shooting officers, even if they didn’t commit a crime.

“She said nothing that I heard about questioning their judgment whether this was a good call, and I think that's an equally important issue," she said. "If they're not going to be charged for a crime, should they even be on active duty anymore?”

We still want to hear from you. Have a question about the Stephon Clark case? Submit it below, or call our Google Voice line at 916-668-9311 to leave a comment.


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    More about Stephon Clark

  • Family courtesy photo via AP

    The Latest: Shooting Of Stephon Clark

    On Sunday, March 18, 2018, Stephon Clark was shot and killed by two Sacramento police officers in the backyard of his grandparents' house in South Sacramento. Check back here for the latest updates, conversations and analysis.

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    Sacramento Residents Respond To DA’s Decision In Clark Case

    Monday, March 4, 2019
    Activists, faith leaders and other community members expressed anger and disappointment over DA Schubert’s announcement that her office would not file charges against the two police officers who shot and killed Stephon Clark.
  • Ezra David Romero / Capital Public Radio

    Protests Ignite After 2 Officers Will Not Be Charged In Sacramento Shooting

    Monday, March 4, 2019
    Nearly a year after police fatally shot Stephon Clark in his grandmother's backyard, the district attorney announced Saturday that the two officers who killed him will not face criminal charges.
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    Stephon Clark's Mother Reacts To Sacramento DA's No Criminal Charges Decision

    Sunday, March 3, 2019
    The Sacramento District Attorney said Saturday that the two officers who shot Stephon Clark will not be charged. NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Clark's mother, Se'Quette Clark, about the decision.
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    ‘Suicide By Cop’? Family Of Stephon Clark Criticizes District Attorney For Revealing Information That Suggests He Was Suicidal

    Saturday, March 2, 2019
    Sacramento District Attorney Anne-Marie Schubert’s announcement Saturday included a surprising amount of personal detail about Stephon Clark, including an indication that he was contemplating suicide in the days leading up to the March 18 shooting.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Pubic Radio

    No Criminal Charges For Sacramento Police Officers Who Fatally Shot Stephon Clark

    Saturday, March 2, 2019
    Nearly a year after Sacramento police fatally shot Stephon Clark, a 22-year-old unarmed black man who died in his grandmother’s backyard, District Attorney Anne-Marie Schubert announced during a Saturday press conference that the two officers who kil
  • Capital Public Radio / AP Photo

    We Want To Hear Your Thoughts On Stephon Clark

    Saturday, March 2, 2019
    As the community responds to official reports on the death of Stephon Clark, CapRadio will be listening. Here’s how you can keep up with our ongoing coverage and add your voice to the conversation.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Background: A Look Back At What's Happened Since The Shooting Of Stephon Clark

    Saturday, March 2, 2019
    The Sacramento County District Attorney’s office and California Attorney General’s office have both decided not to bring charges against the police officers who shot and killed Stephon Clark. Here’s a look back on all that’s happened since his death.
  • Capital Public Radio / AP Photo / Sacramento Police Department

    A Timeline Of Key Events In The Shooting Of Stephon Clark

    Wednesday, April 18, 2018
    On March 18, two Sacramento police officers fatally shot Stephon Clark. Since then, the entire community has been affected by his death. Look back at the key moments from the past month.

 Stephon Clark

Kacey Sycamore

Former Interactive Producer

Kacey joined Capital Public Radio as an interactive producer in January 2018. Before CapRadio, she worked as the communications coordinator for North State Public Radio in Chico, CA. She studied journalism at California State University, Chico.  Read Full Bio 

 @kacey_gardner Email Kacey Sycamore

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