Alton Sterling, the man who was killed in a police-involved altercation last week, had a similar encounter with police officers in 2009.
According to an exclusive report from Louisiana broadcaster WAFB, Sterling, 37, was arrested in an “eerily similar” manner. He fought with Baton Rouge police officers outside of a convenience store while he was selling CDs and carrying a gun, according to a May 29, 2009, police report.
In the 2009 incident, an officer was dispatched to the scene after receiving a complaint about someone “on the corner selling CDs” who pulled a gun on someone. The officer arrived on the scene and spotted Sterling, who was carrying a crate filled with CDs.
He asked Sterling to place his hands on the hood of his police car. When he asked him if he had weapons on him, Sterling didn’t answer, according to the officer. He then started reaching for his pocket.
Sterling then spun around and the two began to struggle, according to the report. Both men hit the ground. The officer then called for backup as Sterling tried to get him off.
