By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Jermaine McBean was listening to music through earbuds and carrying an air rifle when a sheriff’s deputy fatally shot him in 2013.
The FBI has opened the an investigation into the shooting to determine whether McBean’s civil rights were violated when he was shot by Broward Sheriff’s Deputy Peter Peraza, the Associated Press reports. Authorities said he may not have heard the commands to drop the gun because of the music.
Deputy Peraza was responding to a 911 call about a man openly carrying what appeared to be a rifle down the street.
The FBI investigation will focus on whether the deputy used excessive force in a “willful” or “unreasonable” manner.
A separate state investigation is ongoing.
