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- Shot dead on May 11, 2009
- Age: 18
- Shot by Austin police officer Leonardo Quintana
- Quintana had found Sanders and another man, Sir Smith, asleep in a car
- Sanders reportedly reached for a gun upon waking, and was shotKeyetv.com: Neighbors riot after officer kills man... (May 11, 2009)
- Smith was injured in the incident
- Incident was caught on video from a nearby patrol carKeyetv.com: Neighbors riot after officer kills man... (May 11, 2009)
- Sanders had been charged with robbery by assault soon before his deathSalon: Crowd pelts Austin police after fatal shooting (May 11, 2009)
- Quintana has received 10 police commendations in eight years of service
- Quintana received a 15-day suspension in 2006 for an altercation with his girlfriendKeyetv.com: Neighbors riot after officer kills man... (May 11, 2009)
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Nathaniel Sanders was an 18-year-old resident of Austin, Texas who was fatally shot by police officer Leonardo Quintana on the morning of May 11, 2009. Quintana was reportedly investigating a vehicle believed to be involved in several robberies when he encountered Sanders and another man, Sir Smith, asleep in the back. Sanders reportedly reached for a gun when he woke, and was shot. Smith was injured.Keyetv.com: Neighbors riot after officer kills man... (May 11, 2009)
Within hours of the shooting, police with riot gear were sent to the scene to contain more than 100 people who were pelting police with bottles and other objects.Salon: Crowd pelts Austin police after fatal shooting (May 11, 2009)
Found Sleeping
Officer Quintana reportedly found Sanders and Smith sleeping in the back of a Mercedez-Benz station wagon that was believed to have been witnessed at the scenes of several robberies. According to police reports, Sanders reached for a gun in his waistband upon waking, and was shot dead by Quintana in self-defense. Smith then ran at the officer and was shot, but not killed.Keyetv.com: Neighbors riot after officer kills man... (May 11, 2009)