For nearly a year, community members and activists have demanded police accountability for the death of Stephon Clark, 22, who was killed last March by officers Terrence Mercadal and Jared Robinet. The two officers had been dispatched to investigate a vandalism complaint. Within 10 minutes of their arrival, after a brief pursuit, Clark was dead.
The shooting sparked waves of protests in Sacramento. Clark’s death took on national significance amid continuing tensions over discriminatory policing in black neighborhoods and excessive use of force by officers.
“Was a crime committed? There’s no question that a human being died,” District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert said Saturday in Sacramento. “But when we look at the facts and the law, and we follow our ethical responsibilities, the answer to that question is no. And as a result, we will not charge these officers.”
Schubert said the officers had probable cause to stop and detain Clark. She added that police officers are legally justified in using deadly force “if the officer honestly and reasonably believes” he is in danger of death or injury.
“We must recognize that they are often forced to make split-second decisions,” she said. “We must also recognize that they are under tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving circumstances.”
The officers fired their weapons 20 times in Clark’s direction within seconds of turning a blind corner. “Both officers believed that he was pointing a gun at them,” Schubert said. She added that police video showed Clark was “advancing” on the officers.
Clark was later found to be unarmed; his cellphone was found under his body.
The police department released body camera footage within days of the shooting. Daniel Hahn, the city’s first black police chief, reiterated that the department required training related to race-based discrimination and de-escalation tactics. The next month, the department issued new guidance about when officers can mute their body cameras.
The department did not return a request for comment Saturday.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.