New
York state Attorney General Letitia James will not be filing charges against an
NYPD sergeant for fatally shooting a man during a traffic stop in the Norwood
section of the Bronx last year.
In
fact, she said Friday that the NYPD should stop making minor
traffic stops altogether to avoid violent conflicts.
Allan Feliz was pulled over by police on Bainbridge Avenue on Oct. 17 last year. Body camera
video shows a conversation regarding his seat
belt.
But instead of handing over his own ID to police, he gave them his brother's ID, which had three open warrants for violations. He was shot by Sgt. Jonathan Rivera after a struggle.
"Based
on witness accounts, considerable video evidence and an exhaustive review of
the facts, the use of deadly force could not be proven to be unjustified beyond
a reasonable doubt, as the legal standard requires,” said James.
Feliz’s brother, Samy, says that
there was a “very noticeable” abuse of power by Rivera.
"What
we're calling for is for Mayor Bill de Blasio and Commissioner [Dermot] Shea
to fire these officers,” he told News 12.
Feliz
leaves behind his girlfriend and 1-year-old son.