On Tuesday, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced that the California Department of Justice will be stepping in to provide independent oversight of the investigation into the death of an unarmed black man shot by Sacramento Police officers earlier this month.

Stephon Alonzo Clark, 22, died after officers shot about 20 rounds at him following a foot pursuit on the night of March 18.

The officers, who had responded to the area on a call reporting break-ins, chased Clark into his grandmother’s backyard, according to media reports.

The officers believed Clark was pointing a gun at them, but he only had a cellphone in his hand.

The shooting has sparked protests and outrage across Sacramento.

During a press conference with Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert and Sacramento community leaders, Attorney General Becerra pledged that the California DOJ will lend its experience to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.

The California DOJ will also evaluate law enforcement policies, procedures, and practices to identify ways to achieve safer outcomes, Becerra said.

“I stand together with Sacramento law enforcement, city and community leaders to announce that the California Department of Justice will lend our experience to ensure the investigation into the tragic death of Stephon Clark is fair, thorough, and impartial,” said Becerra. “We take on this responsibility in full recognition of the importance of getting it right – because there is nothing more important than respect and trust between law enforcement and the communities that they are sworn to protect as we work to keep all Californians safe.”

While investigations of this kind are generally handled by local district attorneys, the California DOJ is entering this investigation at the request of Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn.

As part of the agreement with the Sacramento Police Department, the California DOJ will also evaluate police department policies, procedures, and practices to help identify ways to achieve safer outcomes for community members and officers.