MILFORD, Conn. — A white state trooper was acquitted of all charges on Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old Black college student in January 2020.
A 6-person jury acquitted 33-year-old trooper Brian North, 33, of three charges, including first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, and negligent homicide of Mubarak Soulemane.
Soulemane was killed after leading troopers on a high-speed chase in a stolen car. He was fatally shot while he was allegedly holding a knife and experiencing a mental health crisis.
North could have faced up to 40 years in prison if was convicted of first-degree manslaughter.
The state’s inspector general said the deadly shooting should not have happened because there was no imminent threat to North and any other officers.
Soulemane’s family is moving forward with a civil lawsuit.
More on the trial and fatal shooting of Mubarak Souleman.
