Philando Castile | Traffic-Stop Shooting Livestreamed to the Nation
Hall of Records • Justice & Accountability • Disputed Death
Philando Castile | Traffic-Stop Shooting Livestreamed to the Nation
Philando Castile, 32, was fatally shot by St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. The immediate aftermath was livestreamed on Facebook by Castile’s girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds.
Record Summary
At a Glance
Philando Castile, 32, was fatally shot by St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. The immediate aftermath was livestreamed on Facebook by Castile’s girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds.
Official Record
What Authorities and Courts Established
Yanez was charged with second-degree manslaughter and two counts of dangerous discharge of a firearm. A jury acquitted him on all counts in June 2017.
Public Dispute and Social Context
Why the Case Became a Flashpoint
The livestream brought millions of viewers into the immediate aftermath of a police shooting and intensified debate over lawful gun possession, traffic stops, racial profiling and officer threat perception.
Legal Outcome
Where the Record Stands
Yanez was acquitted in criminal court. The city later reached civil settlements with Castile’s family and Reynolds. The criminal acquittal and civil settlements are distinct legal outcomes.
Why This Record Matters
The 2012–2020 Racial-Justice Era
Castile’s case became a landmark in the relationship between social media and accountability, showing how a civilian livestream could become part of a national record within minutes.
Sources
Review the Record
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons — “Say Their Names” portrait icon for Philando Castile.
Image-use note: Review the Wikimedia Commons file page for creator, attribution and Creative Commons license before publication.
“Disputed Death” is a Hall of Records editorial classification used to preserve deaths that became significant public disputes about race, policing, self-defense, custody, institutional accountability or the legal system. It does not override a court verdict, medical-examiner ruling or prosecutorial finding. This entry separates official legal outcomes from family concerns, public controversy, historical interpretation and unresolved questions.
