Police reports say an Arizona state trooper who killed a Black man nearly two months ago during a roadside struggle in Phoenix told investigators that he feared for his life as the man refused to let go of the officer’s arm that was holding the firearm.
The May 25 shooting death of Dion Johnson led to marches against police brutality and systematic racism. Trooper George Cervantes says a partially handcuffed Johnson had pulled him into the car through an open door. Cervantes says he feared he would lose control of his gun, so he shot Johnson.
