Philando Castile's Family Releases Copy of His Gun Permit

ByJULIA JACOBO ABCNews logo
Wednesday, July 13, 2016

The family of Philando Castile, the 32-year-old shot and killed by police in Falcon Heights, Minnesota last week, has released a copy of his gun permit.

The document is dated June 4, 2015, and the letterhead shows that it originated from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office investigative division in Minneapolis.

"Dear Mr. Castile," the letter reads. "Enclosed please find your permit to carry."

The letter states that as a permit holder, Castile was required to have his permit card in addition to a driver's license, state identification card or other government-issued photo identification "in immediate possession at all times when carrying a pistol." The document also states that Castile must display the permit card and identification "upon lawful demand of a peace officer."

Castile was killed in a traffic stop on July 6 after he informed the police officer that he was carrying a gun. Cellphone video taken by his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, showed Castile sitting in the driver's seat of the car with a shirt that appears to be soaked in blood. The officer can be heard saying, "I told him not to reach for it. I told him not to get his hand out."

Reynolds said she and Castile were pulled over for a broken taillight, but police dispatch audio indicates that the officers may have thought Castile was a robbery suspect. Castile was shot immediately after Reynolds informed the officer that her boyfriend was licensed to carry, she said. She also said he was reaching for his wallet.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office told ABC News is was unable to comment on the nature of the gun permit because the record is private.

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