DC Cop Who Shot Unarmed Black Motorcyclist Should Be Fired: Board

WASHINGTON, DC -- The September 2016 shooting of 31-year-old Terrence Sterling, an unarmed black man who was riding a motorcycle when he was fatally shot by a D.C. police officer, outraged many in the community. And now the D.C. police trial board reportedly has recommended that the officer behind the shooting be fired.

Fox 5 reports the trial board recommended the firing of Officer Brian Trainer, who petitioned for his job before the board and pleaded not guilty to three charges.

Sterling was riding his motorcycle through Northwest D.C. when police gave chase, ultimately culminating in Sterling's death. Controversy over the shooting was further exacerbated by the fact that Trainer had his body camera turned off until after the shooting.

Trainer claimed he feared for his life after Sterling's motorcycle struck the door of his police cruiser, but his family claims he was merely trying to get away.

D.C. police determined the shooting was unjustified in December 2017, and in February Sterling's family reached a $3.5 million settlement with the D.C. government.

Evidence shows Sterling revved his motorcycle, accelerated and turned it toward the cruiser's open passenger side. Sterling crashed into the door of the police cruiser, and Trainer then fired two rounds at him through the front passenger window, prosecutors said.

Sterling was struck in his right side and neck at about 4:27 a.m. that morning. Trainer and his partner attempted to perform life-saving measures but were unsuccessful. Sterling was pronounced dead at Howard University Hospital.

Toxicology reports show Sterling's blood alcohol content was 0.16, about two times the legal limit. He also tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, prosecutors said.

After a "careful, thorough, and independent review of the evidence," federal prosecutors said there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trainer willfully used unreasonable force and/or was not acting in self-defense when he shot Sterling.

The shooting led to protests around the nation. Critics say that Sterling merely bumped the patrol car while trying to flee, and in any event he did not present an immediate threat to the officer.

Trainer has worked for the D.C. police force for four years and remains on administrative leave. He was the only officer at the scene with a body-worn camera and did not turn it on until after the shooting occurred, WTOP reports.

Mayor Muriel Bowser said the department asked Trainer to resign, saying in a statement, "I do not believe there can be real accountability if the officer remains on the force."

Patch editor Cameron Luttrell contributed to this report.