Alton Sterling was a resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Sterling attended Central High School (Baton Rouge, Louisiana). He was raised by his aunt, Sandra, after his mother died.

Sterling was the father of 5 children.

In July 2016, Sterling's death was recorded on video and went viral on social media.

On July 3, 2016 Sterling was fatally shot by police officers Howie Lake and Blane Salamoni in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. local time outside the Triple S Food Mart, at the corner of Fairfields Avenue and North Foster Drive. During the shooting, the song "Take Me To Jail" by Lil Boosie was playing in the background.

Sterling was selling CDs outside the store when police responded to a disturbance call from a complainant who stated that a black male threatened him with a gun.

An altercation between Sterling and the officers ensued.

He was tasered unsuccesfully.

He was then tackled.

While on the ground with officers on top, one with a gun pointed at his head, he was told not to move.

One of the officers is heard saying, "He's got a gun!" and "You fcking move, I swear to God!" Another officer is then heard saying, "Mike he's going for your taser." Sterling was then shot and died at the scene.

Sterling was shot multiple times in the chest and back.

One of the officers who appears to be Blane Salamoni is heard saying, "F*ck!."

Sterling's eyes then began to roll behind his head as his right arm goes up in the air and his shirt is covered in blood.

After Sterling's death, the number of people killed by police has been 558 for the year 2016.

Quinyetta McMillon, Sterling's partner has set up a Go Fund Me to help with his funeral and family.

Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II have been placed on administrative leave per standard procedure.

The investigation into the shooting has been turned over to the FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Sterling's death sparked outrage by the community and on social media.

The hashtag #AltonSterling started trending on Twitter.

According to Edmond Jordan, his attorney Alton was beloved in his community and did not deserve the excessive force exerted on him by Baton Rouge Police Department.

Previous Arrests

Sterling has a criminal history that consists of charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile back in 2000.

Carnal knowledge of a juvenile is a sex crime when someone 17 or over has sex with someone who is between 13-17 years old and is 4 or more years younger than the offender.

He also pleaded guilty to illegal carrying of a weapon with drugs and possession of marijuana in 2011 and was sentenced to five years.

In 2015, an arrest warrant was issued for Sterling for failure to register as a sex offender.

Sterling was released on parole a short time before his death.