Who was Derrick Kittling and why he was killed by RPSO Deputy Rodney Anderson?

Derrick Kittling was unarmed and shot in the head after a struggle with a Rapides Parrish Sheriff Deputy Rodney Anderson in Louisiana on November 6th. Mr. Kittling was reportedly pulled over for his window tint being too dark.

During a traffic stop, a Rapides Parish sheriff’s deputy is shown on video from a body camera shooting an unarmed black man in the head and causing his fatal injury. The video was provided by the Louisiana State Police. The incident that occurred on November 6 provoked indignation in Alexandria, a city where the majority of the population is black.

During a news conference, not only did footage from Anderson’s body-worn camera but also film recorded by a bystander during the traffic stop was revealed.

In the footage, 45-year-old Derrick Kittling is seen getting pulled over by Deputy Rodney Anderson in Alexandria, which is located in the middle of Louisiana. Kittling was operating a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck during the day in a residential neighborhood at the time of the stop.

In the body-cam video, the deputy orders Kittling to “remain right there” as he exits his car, but he also directs him to proceed toward his truck, which Kittling was standing next to when he got out of the driver’s seat.

No reason for stopping Kittling is ever given by Anderson. Anderson doesn’t respond when Kittling asks why he is being stopped.

Then, Anderson commands Kittling to “go over here,” but Kittling seems perplexed.

Throughout the interaction, Kittling seems to be perplexed.

According to the sheriff’s office, Kittling picked up the Taser during the battle after Anderson “lost control” of it.

The deputy can be seen firing at Kittling in the footage after drawing out the stun gun. Before the two begin to struggle on the ground, Kittling seems to attempt to block the Taser. The taser appears to be on the ground as Kittling grabs it. Whether Kittling ever aims the taser at Anderson is unknown.

Anderson then calls other cops to inform them that Kittling was shot in the head.

During the press conference, the chief of the Louisiana State Police, Colonel Lamar Davis, stated to the local media that Kittling was pulled over for violating the law regarding window tinting and for having a modified exhaust.