UNREASONABLE FORCE

San Leandro Police Officer Charged With Manslaughter in Walmart Shooting of Steven Taylor

“I believe Officer Fletcher’s actions, coupled with his failure to attempt other de-escalation options rendered his use of deadly force unreasonable,” the DA said.

A San Leandro police officer has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Black man at a Walmart in April. Video shows officer Jason Fletcher shooting Steven Taylor, 33, less than 40 seconds after entering the store as the latter was brandishing a bat. Prosecutors later determined that Taylor posed no immediate threat to Fletcher, though police have said he ignored orders to drop the bat. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley said in a statement, “I believe Officer Fletcher’s actions, coupled with his failure to attempt other de-escalation options, rendered his use of deadly force unreasonable.”