This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37448991

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Charlotte police under mounting pressure to release video Charlotte police under mounting pressure to release video
(35 minutes later)
Police in Charlotte, North Carolina, are under mounting pressure to release video from a fatal shooting. Officials in Charlotte, North Carolina, are fending off mounting pressure to release video of a fatal shooting.
Family members of Keith Lamont Scott, an African-American man who was shot by a black officer, were allowed to watch the footage on Thursday.Family members of Keith Lamont Scott, an African-American man who was shot by a black officer, were allowed to watch the footage on Thursday.
Their lawyers say they want the video to be made public because it raises "more questions than answers".Their lawyers say they want the video to be made public because it raises "more questions than answers".
He was the 214th black person killed by US police this year out of a total of 821, says Mapping Police Violence.He was the 214th black person killed by US police this year out of a total of 821, says Mapping Police Violence.
Critics have accused Charlotte authorities of a lack of transparency, compared with the swift action taken after a police shooting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where a white officer has been charged.Critics have accused Charlotte authorities of a lack of transparency, compared with the swift action taken after a police shooting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where a white officer has been charged.
Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts told a news conference on Friday: "I do believe the video should be released - the question is on the timing."Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts told a news conference on Friday: "I do believe the video should be released - the question is on the timing."
City Police Chief Kerr Putney agreed, but said the video by itself does not provide sufficient evidence of probable cause for the shooting. She said the video was "inconclusive" as to whether Mr Scott was holding a gun.
Releasing it without "context" could inflame the situation, he added. Police have already said a pistol was recovered at the scene.
City Police Chief Kerr Putney agreed, but said the body cam and dash-cam video, by itself, does not provide sufficient evidence of probable cause for the shooting.
Releasing it without "context" could only inflame the situation, he added.
The police chief has said all the evidence together indicates the officer identified as having shot Mr Scott - Brentley Vinson, who is also African-American - was justified.
The Charlotte Observer and the New York Times have joined calls for the footage to be made public.The Charlotte Observer and the New York Times have joined calls for the footage to be made public.
"There is no legal reason to withhold the video from the public, and in this fraught situation, the best way to allay the community's distrust is complete transparency," the New York daily wrote."There is no legal reason to withhold the video from the public, and in this fraught situation, the best way to allay the community's distrust is complete transparency," the New York daily wrote.
Charlotte protesters defied a midnight curfew early on Friday, taking to the city streets for a third straight night. Justin Bamberg, one of the lawyers representing the family, said the video shows Mr Scott did not make any aggressive moves towards police.
He said Mr Scott was moving slowly as he got out of the car because he suffered head trauma in a bad car accident a year ago.
Meanwhile, police said a suspect had been arrested in Wednesday's fatal shooting of a protester in Charlotte.
Demonstrators in the city defied a midnight curfew early on Friday, taking to the city streets for a third straight night.
Hundreds marched to the police station carrying signs saying "Stop killing us" and "Resistance is beautiful".Hundreds marched to the police station carrying signs saying "Stop killing us" and "Resistance is beautiful".
Security forces took a hands-off approach and the demonstration was much calmer than the previous two nights, when rioters looted businesses and threw objects at police.Security forces took a hands-off approach and the demonstration was much calmer than the previous two nights, when rioters looted businesses and threw objects at police.
Several hundred National Guard troops were deployed to keep order, a day after North Carolina's governor declared a state of emergency in Charlotte.Several hundred National Guard troops were deployed to keep order, a day after North Carolina's governor declared a state of emergency in Charlotte.
Meanwhile, police said a suspect had been arrested in Wednesday's fatal shooting of protester in Charlotte.
Mr Scott was fatally shot in an apartment complex car park on Tuesday by police who were searching for another person wanted for arrest.Mr Scott was fatally shot in an apartment complex car park on Tuesday by police who were searching for another person wanted for arrest.
Conflicting accounts of his death - police say he was armed with a handgun, but his family says he was holding a book - have fanned protesters' distrust of the police. There are conflicting accounts of his death - police say he was armed with a handgun; his family says he was holding a book.
Justin Bamberg, one of the lawyers representing the family, said the video shows Mr Scott did not make any aggressive moves towards police.
He said Mr Scott was moving slowly as he got out of the car because he suffered head trauma in a bad car accident a year ago.
Police Chief Putney said a handgun was recovered at the scene, and that no book was found, contrary to the family's assertion.
He said all the evidence together indicates the officer identified as having shot Mr Scott - Brentley Vinson, who is also black - was justified.
The troubles in Charlotte reverberated on the US presidential campaign trail, with Republican candidate Donald Trump blaming inner-city drug use.The troubles in Charlotte reverberated on the US presidential campaign trail, with Republican candidate Donald Trump blaming inner-city drug use.
"Drugs are a very, very big factor in what you're watching on television at night," he said in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."Drugs are a very, very big factor in what you're watching on television at night," he said in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Democrat Hillary Clinton discussed the unrest in calls to the Charlotte mayor, her campaign said.Democrat Hillary Clinton discussed the unrest in calls to the Charlotte mayor, her campaign said.
"Too many black Americans have lost their lives and too many feel that their lives are disposable," the campaign cited her as saying."Too many black Americans have lost their lives and too many feel that their lives are disposable," the campaign cited her as saying.
Meanwhile, a member of the US Congress from North Carolina apologised after telling the BBC he believed that the protesters hated white people.Meanwhile, a member of the US Congress from North Carolina apologised after telling the BBC he believed that the protesters hated white people.
More on this storyMore on this story
Has anything changed since Ferguson?Has anything changed since Ferguson?
Why America remains segregatedWhy America remains segregated