Police Officer That Killed Passenger During a Traffic Stop in Minnesota Identified

St. Anthony, Minnesota

We now know the identity of the police officer who fatally shot black school cafeteria worker Philando Castile during a routine traffic stop Wednesday. Authorities have ruled the death a homicide.

The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) identified the police officer as 28-year-old Jeronimo Yanez. It also identified another cop on the scene as officer Joseph Kauser. Both officers have been with the St. Anthony Police Department for four years.

Jeronimo Yanez

Yanez opened fire on Castile Wednesday, and footage of the aftermath - in which the school worker lost consciousness - was live-streamed through Facebook by Castile's girlfriend Diamond Reynolds.