Alton Sterling Autopsy: Coroner William Clark Says Back Wounds Were ‘Entrance’ Wounds

The Baton Rouge Coronor William Clark told Heavy.com in an interview July 6 that Alton Sterling died from being shot multiple times in the back and chest.

Asked whether the back wounds were entrance or exit wounds, the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner said they were entrance wounds. That means that the bullets did not exit through Sterling’s back but rather that they entered his back when the officer fired. The coroner sometimes goes by the full name William “Beau” Clark.

In fact, he said the chest and back wounds were “multiple entrance.”

But the back wounds were entrance wounds too? “That’s correct.”

Asked how many times Sterling was shot altogether, Coroner Clark, who is a doctor, said the office was not releasing that number. Asked if Alton Sterling had other injuries, he said, “none listed.”

Clark said the office is only releasing the preliminary death findings and that Louisiana law does not allow easy release of the full report when it’s complete.

Toxicology results are not back yet and could take 21 days, he said.

Dr. William “Beau” Clark is a native of Baton Rouge and graduated from St. Michael the Archangel High School, said his coroner bio page. He graduated with a bachelor in science from Louisiana Tech University and then graduated from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine in Baton Rouge. He is board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, said his bio.

He was elected East Baton Rouge Parish coroner in 2011 and also practices emergency medicine.

Dr. Clark has served as Medical Director for the Louisiana State Police SWAT Team, Louisiana House of Representatives, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team. Dr. Clark has been certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators.

KeyeTV reported that an autopsy was conducted on Sterling. The news site said that officers went to a Baton Rouge convenience store around 12:35 a.m. Tuesday after a caller complained that a man in a red shirt who was selling music had threatened him with a gun, according to police.

The subsequent shooting of Sterling by a Baton Rouge police officer was captured on citizen video but a state representative has said that the police chief told her the body camera videos fell off and weren’t working but that there may be dash cam footage from a squad and store surveillance video.

Sterling was 37 years old. A prolific CD seller, his death has sparked protests in Baton Rouge. The officers have been identified as Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II.