Colin Kaepernick -- Alton Sterling Killing Is Modern Day Lynching

Colin Kaepernick says the police killing of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge is nothing short of a modern day lynching -- saying, "Another murder in the streets because the color of a man's skin."

37-year-old Sterling was shot dead in the parking lot of a convenient store Tuesday night by a police officer. Sterling was selling CDs. The person who called police said Sterling had a gun and was making threats.

Cops pinned Sterling to the ground -- and that's when someone shouts, "He's got a gun." One of the officers opened fire on Sterling, shooting him in his chest and back. He died at the scene.

The incident has infuriated people all over the world ... including the San Francisco 49ers QB.

"This is what lynchings look like in 2016!" Kaepernick wrote.

"Another murder in the streets because the color of a man's skin, at the hands of the people who they say will protect us."

"When will they be held accountable? or did he fear for his life as he executed this man?"

The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on leave. Mass protests have already begun in Baton Rouge.