ALTON STERLING

DOJ Opens Probe on Baton Rouge Shooting

Civil-rights division handling investigation.

The U.S. Justice Department’s civil-rights division has opened an investigation into the death of 37-year-old Alton Sterling, who was shot and killed by police while he was pinned to the ground in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, early Tuesday. Gov. John Bel Edwards told reporters Wednesday the FBI, state police, and U.S. Attorney’s Office will also have a hand in the investigation. Edwards said he has “very serious concerns” after viewing a cellphone video of the incident, which made the rounds on social media early Wednesday morning. “The video is disturbing to say the least,” he said. “There should be no doubt in anybody’s mind that this incident is going to be investigated impartially and thoroughly.”