Officer at center of shooting death resigns
Yesterday, it was announced that Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer Johannes Mehserle resigned from the force, right before he was to interview with internal affairs investigators over the shooting death of Oscar Grant III.
Grant was shot and killed by Mehserle early New Year’s day. At the time, Grant was face-down, pinned by another officer when Mehserle stood to his feet and fired the fatal shot that entered Oscar Grant’s lower back, ricocheted off the pavement and entered his lungs, killing him.
Grant was a 22-year-old supermarket worker and father of a 4-year-old daughter. It is not clear if Oscar Grant was even involved in the fight to which BART police were responding. His shooting death was captured by various citizens with cell phones.
Mehserle’s resignation means that he will not have to speak with internal affairs investigators however, his legal defense will continue to be paid for out of a statewide fund for police officers.
In the meantime, the Alameda County D.A. will be deciding soon as to whether or not criminal charges will be pursued.
On a related note, yesterday, a protest over the shooting turned into a “mini-riot” when a small group broke away from the protest and vandalized police cruisers and storefronts. A total of 14 arrests were made.
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