In 1970, Ruben Salazar was the most prominent Latino journalist in Los Angeles, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and news director of the Spanish language powerhouse KMEX-TV. Salazar was also an outspoken critic of how authorities exerted their power in the city’s Latino communities.

That’s why many were suspicious when Salazar was fatally shot in the head by a tear gas canister that was fired by an Los Angeles County deputy during the East LA riots 40 years ago.

Back then, the Sheriff’s Department sealed the records from its internal review of that shooting and has refused to release them ever since. Until now, possibly this week. Copyright 2011 National Public Radio. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.