Hollywood Reacts to Police Killing of Alton Sterling: "Something Is Horribly Wrong"

"That's murder."

Numerous celebrities are sharing their disgust and angst over the death of Alton Sterling, a black man fatally shot by police in Baton Rouge, La., on Tuesday.

Amateur video of the shooting went viral online Tuesday night, sparking peaceful protests in Baton Rouge and a renewed outrage about police brutality. At first, it was reported Sterling was unarmed, but at a later media conference Wednesday, the Baton Rouge police chief said Sterling had a weapon.

On Wednesday morning, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards told reporters the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division will spearhead the investigation. The officers involved in the shooting are on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

The amateur video shows the 37-year-old Sterling pinned down by two officers when multiple shots are fired. Authorities say Sterling died of gunshot wounds to his chest and back.

Hollywood was quick to condemn the shooting and invoke the Black Lives Matter movement as #AltonSterling began to trend on Twitter Tuesday night.

Celebrities from Katy Perry and Mark Ruffalo to Taraji P. Henson and Jesse Williams took to social media to decry the tragic event. On Wednesday afternoon, Jon Cryer helped to circulate a Go Fund Me link now accepting donations for Sterling's family.

See the reactions below.

A photo posted by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Jul 6, 2016 at 5:50pm PDT

You can't just go on with your day, you must watch this & we must face this continual outrageousness #ALTONSTERLING https://t.co/NqW3aVSZ1j — KATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 6, 2016

Something is horribly wrong. This is an epidemic. #AltonSterling https://t.co/0bo04H2IRb — Josh Gad (@joshgad) July 6, 2016

I am literally sick to my stomach watching the video of the #AltonSterling takedown. — Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) July 6, 2016

Another police murder on video. #AltonSterling. Watching his son crying & collapse on live TV is heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/gQb8QaxeXD — Isaac Hayes III (@IsaacHayes3) July 6, 2016

Love to Louisiana #AltonSterling — Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) July 6, 2016

1) In the interest of time, would ye noble patriots please provide a list of infractions punishable by spontaneous public execution? Thanks! — jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 6, 2016

#AltonSterling

Please. No more. This must stop. — Rashida Jones (@iamrashidajones) July 6, 2016

There is not a more appropriate time than now. #AltonSterling https://t.co/dBulBg44gq — Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) July 6, 2016

So to you petition signers, y'all on "Hmmm well maybe Jesse had a point"? status yet or still nah? #AltonSterling — Questlove Gomez (@questlove) July 6, 2016

Sick and tired of being sick and tired A photo posted by taraji p henson (@tarajiphenson) on Jul 6, 2016 at 12:11pm PDT

This incident reminds me so much of #OscarGrant. It's sad that even with video that shows this man was restrained and on the ground little to nothing will likely be done. A photo posted by Octavia Spencer (@therealoctaviaspencer) on Jul 6, 2016 at 12:01pm PDT

#AltonSterling RIP... When will it stop? — Wesley Snipes (@wesleysnipes) July 6, 2016

This is real. We must come to terms with it. Any parent can understand the depth of this grief. https://t.co/2E6MK9gpPN — Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) July 6, 2016

This is so disturbing and wrong. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of #AltonSterling — Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) July 6, 2016

I thank the brave one who filmed the police during Mr. Sterling's murder. Film is one of our weapons. #FilmThePolice https://t.co/QUsaC2rqcq — Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) July 6, 2016

My Heart is broken, thoughts and prayers to #AltonSterling and his family. When is enough, enough ? — Chloë Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) July 6, 2016

How many more lives will be shot down and shattered? Who's next? My brother? My father? Me? You? #AltonSterling pic.twitter.com/ap3BLwNlnb — Gabby SidiBae (@GabbySidibe) July 6, 2016

How many more murders of black people by police before we hold our system and those that enforce… https://t.co/qMZ1F7cEC1 — Macklemore (@macklemore) July 6, 2016

This now familiar ache. Can't see straight. Screaming inside for Alton Sterling and family. #Rp pic.twitter.com/Bu8KfuMxKm — Niecy Nash (@NiecyNash) July 6, 2016

Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Alton Sterling. — Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) July 7, 2016

WAKE UP America. If I see one more dumb comment about All Lives Matter vs Black Lives Matter. Stop deflecting from the issue. This is a problem!! The police have to stop senselessly killing our fathers our brothers our uncles our sons and killing our spirits. A video posted by Danielle Brooks (@daniebb3) on Jul 6, 2016 at 10:43am PDT