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The officers involved in the shooting death of 37-year-old Alton Sterling, a Black man who was said to be selling CDs outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when police approached him, have been identified.

The two officers – Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II – both work in the Uniform Patrol Division, The Advocate reports. Salamoni is a four-year veteran of the force, Lake a three-year veteran. It’s unclear which of the officers shot Sterling.

According to a news release, both officers were placed on administrative leave. At least one of the officers previously fired his gun in the line of duty, The New York Daily News reports:

Lake was one of three officers, along with three trainees, who fired at a suspect in December 2014, records show.

The shooting occurred after police received a tip from a woman claiming she was receiving threatening text messages, according to a Times Picayune report.

The suspect, Kevin Knight, was shot in the torso but survived.

In an afternoon press release – following calls for his resignation by the Baton Rouge NAACP chapter – Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie Jr. said he would not retire or resign, adding that his force has worked hard to bridge the gaps between law enforcement and the community.

“I’m not resigning. I’m not retiring,” Dabadie said.

“We want to know what happened, we want to know the truth,” Dabadie said. “At this point, like you, I am demanding answers, like you all, my prayers are with this community and the family and loved ones of Mr Sterling.”

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on Wednesday announced that the Department of Justice will launch an investigation into the shooting.

You can find more information on Alton Sterling, here. This is a developing story.

SOURCE: New York Daily NewsThe Advocate | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty

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