Diamond Reynolds Speaks On What Happened Before The Livestream Began & Her Daughter 

Philando Castile’s amazingly courageous girlfriend Diamond Reynolds is continuing to speak out about his senseless death at the hands of police in hopes of furthering the conversation about the much needed change in the way people of color are policed in America.

Diamond appeared on Monday’s episode of The View to share her story and discuss exactly what took place on that fateful afternoon in Falcon Heights, Minnesota where she and her daughter witnessed the horrific shooting death of Philando during a routine traffic stop for an alleged busted taillight. Responding to co-host Joy Behar’s question of how she was able to remain calm enough to record the video during the incident, Diamond credited the presence of her 4-year-old daughter, who was in the backseat at the time of the shooting.

“In my mind, it was just to, one, first stay calm for my daughter,” she said. “Any nervousness would have made the police officer strike us, so it was in my best interest and in my daughter’s best interest to stay calm.” Co-host Candace Cameron also asked how Diamond’s brave young daughter, who was heard comforting her mother in the original video footage, is currently doing in the aftermath of Philando’s death. 

Judge Glenda Hatchett to Represent Philando Castile’s Family

“She’s told me she’s had a few…she doesn’t call them nightmares, she calls them God dreams. She says that no matter how many people says that Phil is dead, she believes that he’s still alive,” Diamond said tearfully. “And I believe that he’s living through her.” She continued to speak on her young daughter’s extraordinary strength in the wake of all that has happened. “Just her being so strong and being able to soothe me and me soothe her. She wants justice as well as myself; she’s a very smart little girl and she’s strong. She cries but she tells me ‘mommy, don’t cry, you’re gonna make me cry.’ I would not have been able to do this without her.”

Diamond also addressed the question of what took place prior to the beginning of the livestream, which began just after Philando was shot by the officer. “There was nothing that would have led to an officer gunning him down,” she said. “We followed with procedures, we did everything we were asked to do and….we were only stopped for a taillight.” 

Watch Diamond’s full interview on The View above.

WANT MORE FROM ESSENCE? Subscribe to our daily newsletter for the latest in hair, beauty, style and celebrity news.