Levar Jones, the Black man who was shot in September by a white officer at a gas station in South Carolina while retrieving his identification, has not overcome the experience captured on video that made national news.
Many viewers of the video were shocked by how quickly the officer resorted to gunfire after Jones got out of his car.
“Mr. Jones is working on rehabilitation, physically and mentally for this tragic event,” Jones’ attorney, Arnette Dorsey, told Atlanta Blackstar.
A South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigation found the shooting by officer Sean Groubert unjustified and Groubert is now facing charges of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
Despite Groubert’s claims that he “feared for his life,” the South Carolina court found probable cause for Groubert to be charged in the shooting, unlike the St. Louis grand jury’s decision to not indict officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.
Groubert was arrested on Sept. 24, and is facing up to 20 years in prison. His next court date is scheduled for March 26, 2015. Groubert’s attorney declined to comment to Atlanta Blackstar while his case is pending.
Jones “never planned nor desired to be in the spotlight,” Dorsey, his attorney, told Atlanta Blackstar via email.
“Although Mr. Jones could address several ‘wrongs’ in details of the matter, his primary focus is justice—a conviction and accountability for Groubert,” Dorsey wrote. “[He] is also focusing on supporting legislation regarding police dash cams and body cams.”
Groubert, 31, was fired after the the release of the dash cam video from his patrol car showed him pulling up to the back and side of Jones, asking for his ID and firing off several rounds at him as he turned to retrieve his credentials.
Jones could be heard asking, “Why did you shoot me?”
“A lot of people thought that this would be similar to other instances where you have a shooting and the person still not even being charged,” city councilwoman Tameika Devine said.
Even though Dorsey says that Jones has not wanted to ask for help, there is a gofundme page setup to support him.
“The amount of therapy needed is indefinite,” Dorsey wrote.
Despite making headlines, Jones has raised just $300 since October 4, from three donors.
