Officer Who Shot Philando Castile Placed Back on Leave

The Minnesota police officer who fatally shot a black man during a traffic stop in July is back on administrative leave after returning to work last week.

The city of St. Anthony announced Wednesday that Officer Jeronimo Yanez’s status with the city’s police department was changed back to administrative leave. The decision was made "after reviewing concerns and other feedback from the community," according to a statement.

Yanez fatally shot Philando Castile during a traffic stop in the Twin Cities suburb of Falcon Heights. The aftermath of the shooting was caught on Facebook Live video recorded by Castile's girlfriend in the front seat of his car.

Castile, 32, was reaching into his pocket in response to an Yanez's request for his license, according to his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, who was in the car with him.

Castile, who was stopped for a broken taillight, mentioned to Yanez that he had a permit for a concealed weapon. His girlfriend's 4-year-old daughter was sitting in the back seat. Yanez then opened fire, Reynolds said.

Yanez returned to work Aug. 15 in a "limited, administrative role." The Star Tribune reported that his return sparked protests outside the police station, where demonstrators demanded the officer be criminally charged.

"He should not have the opportunity to wear that uniform while this case is going on because my nephew doesn’t get the opportunity to come back and live right now," Castile's uncle, Clarence, told FOX 9.

"So he shouldn’t get the opportunity to be a police officer right now."

Castile was a nutrition services supervisor in the St. Paul Public Schools. His employer said he was well liked by students and his co-workers. He graduated from Central High in 2001.

The St. Anthony Police Department has 23 officers, eight of whom are paid for through contracts with Lauderdale and Falcon Heights.

Falcon Heights, a suburb of about 5,300, has contracted with St. Anthony for police services for at least 10 years. The department’s interim chief said there hadn’t been an officer-involved shooting in the department for 30 years.

Yanez’s status with the department will be reviewed again when the investigation of the shooting is complete. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident.

Image via Lauderdale Police Department