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The Minnesota police officer who fatally shot a black man during a traffic stop last month is back on administrative leave.

The city of St. Anthony released a statement Wednesday saying it decided to put Officer Jeronimo Yanez back on leave "after reviewing concerns and other feedback from the community."

 during a traffic stop on July 6 in nearby Falcon Heights. Castile's girlfriend — who video streamed the shooting's gruesome aftermath live on Facebook — said Castile was shot several times while reaching for his ID after telling the officer he had a gun permit and was armed.

Protesters say officer in Castile shooting should remain on leave

After Yanez returned to work last week, a group of protesters gathered at the police station, demanding he be charged. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating.

The city said Wednesday that it decided to put Yanez back on leave "out of respect to the sensitive nature of the tragic incident." The statement said Yanez's status with the police department will be reviewed after the state's investigation is complete.


Yanez's attorney said Wednesday that he was unaware of his client's status change with the police department.

Police chief defends officer who killed Castile

Castile's death set off weeks of protests and calls for Yanez to be charged. It also put the collection of St. Paul suburbs that St. Anthony police serve in the group of communities dealing with officer-involved shootings of black men, which also include Baltimore, Milwaukee and Ferguson, Missouri.

Crime, Law and Justice

The death of Philando Castile and the trial of Jeronimo Yanez

Associated Press

Author

The city of St. Anthony released a statement Wednesday saying it decided to put Officer Jeronimo Yanez back on leave "after reviewing concerns and other feedback from the community."


Officer Jeronimo Yanez at Law Enforcement Memorial

After protests, cop who fatally shot Castile placed back on leave

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