Unarmed Grandfather Killed By Police Struck By 5 Of 7 Bullets Fired At Him
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) - Police say an unarmed California grandfather who officers mistakenly believed was armed was hit by five of the seven bullets fired at him.
Bakersfield Sgt. Gary Carruesco said Thursday that an autopsy conducted on 73-year-old Francisco Serna showed how many times he was struck.
Officer Reagan Selman fired seven shots at Serna after he and his partner responded to a 911 call about a man with a gun just after midnight Monday. Police say Serna refused commands to take his hand out of his pocket and stop walking toward officers, and that's when Selman fired on him.
Police later concluded that Serna was not carrying a gun but did have a dark-colored crucifix. Selma was put on routine leave.
Serna's distraught family is calling for an independent investigation of the shooting.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.