Cameron Sterling, the 15-year-old son of Alton Sterling, had a calm demeanor as he delivered a two-minute statement in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on July 13. It had been just over a week since Alton Sterling was shot and killed by two police officers on July 5. The shooting was captured on video, inspiring protests of police brutality across the country.
Cameron cried during the first press conference after his fathers death, but he was calm. He said his father was a “good man” and shared his thoughts on people in general. Cameron’s mother is Quinyetta McMillon.
“I feel that people in general, no matter what their race is, should come together as one united family,” Cameron said. “There should be no more arguments, disagreements, violence, crimes. … Everyone should come together as one united family.”
Cameron said that his fathers death should inspire people to be peaceful and not “against each other.”
He said that he feels that his father, who did have a criminal record, was “a good man.” He thanked everyone who supported his family. Cameron concluded his statement with notes to protesters.
“I want everyone to protest the right way. Protest with peace, not guns, not drugs, not alcohol, not violence,” he said.
Just hours after Sterling was killed, video of Philando Castile dying after being allegedly shot by a police officer in Minnesota went viral.
A Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas turned violent on July 7, when Micah Johnson fired at police, killing five officers. While police do not believe he was connected to the protest, police say he told them he wanted to kill white officers before he was killed.
