A University of Cincinnati police officer has been indicted on murder charges after fatally shooting 43-year-old Samuel DuBose, a father of thirteen who was unarmed.
DuBose, 43, was pulled over by Officer Ray Tensing on Sunday, July 19 for allegedly driving without a front license plate. The Cincinnati Police Department said that Tensing asked DuBose for his driver’s license, but instead of handing Tensing his license, DuBose handed the officer a bottle of alcohol, which can be seen on police body camera footage.
According to the body cam, Tensing asked DuBose to step out of the car and a struggle occurred between the two. As DuBose reportedly attempted to speed away, Tensing fired a single shot at the car, which struck DuBose in the head, killing him instantly. The car rolled about a block toward an intersection before it crashed into a wall.
Tensing turned himself in to authorities yesterday and was charged with murder and voluntary manslaughter.
“It was so unnecessary for this to occur,” Hamilton county prosecutor Joe Deters said at a news conference yesterday afternoon. “This office has probably reviewed upwards of hundreds of police shootings, and this is the first time that we’ve thought this is without question a murder.”
Tensing was indicted yesterday for DuBose’s murder, and if convicted, could face life in prison. He is being held on $1 million bond and pled not guilty during his arraignment hearing this morning.