According to the store owner, Abdullah Muflahi, on July 7, 2016, Sterling was carrying a gun as a defensive purpose. The store owner also added, Sterling was not causing trouble and was co- operating with the officers.
On the other hand, the officers said, "they had to wrestle him to the ground to complete their duty," when one officer exclaimed, "that the black suspect was with a gun." another officer continued that he was just trying to took his gun, however, he felt the Sterling was trying to reach the weapon, and the police office has to shot him.
According to officers, Sterling had a 38-caliber revolver that fell out from his waistband after wrestling him to the ground. The officers faced trial on the shooting and were not found guilty, but the public was not happy and started protesting Sterling’s death.
On May 2, 2017, the United States Department of Justice opened the case connecting to July 7, 2016, and announced the department would not charge the officer involved in the shootout, resulting Alton Sterling was guilty.
