Jeronimo Yanez identified as officer who shot Philando Castile

Jeronimo Yanez has been identified as the police officer who fatally shot Philando Castile during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, on Wednesday, the Washington Post reported.

Officer Yanez has been with the St. Anthony Police Department for four years. He has been placed on administrative leave, according to the Minnesota state agency investigating Mr. Castile’s shooting.

Another St. Anthony police officer, Joseph Kauser, has also been placed on administrative leave, the agency said. He is also a four-year member of the force.

In a statement, the agency said Officer Yanez approached the driver’s side of the vehicle Mr. Castile was driving and “discharged his weapon, striking Castile multiple times.”

Mr. Castile’s shooting became national news in part because his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds — who, along with her 4-year-old daughter, was a passenger in Mr. Castile’s vehicle — livestreamed its aftermath on Facebook.