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Charleston shooting: White police officer charged with murder after video emerges of him apparently killing unarmed black man before dropping an object next to his body Walter Scott shooting: White police officer charged with murder after video emerges of him 'killing unarmed black man as he ran away'
(about 7 hours later)
Questions were once again being asked of US policing on Wednesday after a video emerged that appeared to show a white officer shooting an unarmed black man dead before dropping an object next to his body. A white US police officer has been charged with murder after shooting an unarmed black man in the back as he tried to run away - before appearing to drop an object next to his body.
Michael Slager, the officer in North Charleston, South Carolina, was charged with the murder of 50-year-old Walter Scott it was announced yesterday.Michael Slager, the officer in North Charleston, South Carolina, was charged with the murder of 50-year-old Walter Scott it was announced yesterday.
News of the arrest came after a video, published in The New York Times, appeared to contravene the version of events given by Slager. The 33-year-old said that he had feared for his life after his stun gun was taken by Scott during a “scuffle” on Saturday morning. News of the arrest came after a video, published by The New York Times, appeared to contradict the version of events given by Slager. The 33-year-old said that he had feared for his life after his stun gun was taken by Scott during a “scuffle” on Saturday morning.
Footage of the shooting taken by a witness in fact appeared to showed Slager firing eight times at Scott who is seen running away. As Scott lies motionless on the ground, the video shows the officer returning to the area where the encounter occurred. He appears to pick something off the ground and moments later drops it near Mr Scott’s body.Footage of the shooting taken by a witness in fact appeared to showed Slager firing eight times at Scott who is seen running away. As Scott lies motionless on the ground, the video shows the officer returning to the area where the encounter occurred. He appears to pick something off the ground and moments later drops it near Mr Scott’s body.
The videos, which The New York Times suggested had been shot by multiple witnesses, cast a different light on events. Slager had initially released a statement through his lawyer arguing he had “followed all the proper procedures and policies of the North Charleston police department”. Michael Slager is seen apparently firing on Walter Scott as he runs away Michael Slager stands over Walter Scott after allegedly shooting him The videos, which The New York Times suggested had been shot by multiple witnesses, cast a different light on events. Slager had initially released a statement through his lawyer arguing he had “followed all the proper procedures and policies of the North Charleston police department”.
But at a press conference on Tuesday, North Charleston mayor Keith Summey said a “bad decision” had been made. “When you’re wrong, you’re wrong,” he said. “When you make a bad decision, don’t care if you’re behind the shield or a citizen on the street, you have to live with that decision.”But at a press conference on Tuesday, North Charleston mayor Keith Summey said a “bad decision” had been made. “When you’re wrong, you’re wrong,” he said. “When you make a bad decision, don’t care if you’re behind the shield or a citizen on the street, you have to live with that decision.”
Mr Summey said Slager had been arrested and charged with murder, in what is an usually swift decision for an incident set against a backdrop of deep distrust following a number of shootings of black men at the hands of white officers.Mr Summey said Slager had been arrested and charged with murder, in what is an usually swift decision for an incident set against a backdrop of deep distrust following a number of shootings of black men at the hands of white officers.
Race relations have been in turmoil since a police officer shot a black teenager, Michael Brown, in the town of Ferguson, Missouri, in August last year. The US Justice Department released a report in May that found systematic bias in the city's police department and courts.Race relations have been in turmoil since a police officer shot a black teenager, Michael Brown, in the town of Ferguson, Missouri, in August last year. The US Justice Department released a report in May that found systematic bias in the city's police department and courts.
In July last year black New York City resident Eric Garner died after he was put into a chokehold by Officer Daniel Pantaleo. Both officers were white. Grand juries decided not to indict either officer, setting off large protests. Officer Michael Slager has been charged with murder over the incident In July last year black New York City resident Eric Garner died after he was put into a chokehold by Officer Daniel Pantaleo. Both officers were white. Grand juries decided not to indict either officer, setting off large protests.
The spate of incidents lead President Barack Obama to launch an inquiry entitled "Task Force on 21st Century Policing", charged with interviewing police and community leaders across the country. That committee will report back later this year.The spate of incidents lead President Barack Obama to launch an inquiry entitled "Task Force on 21st Century Policing", charged with interviewing police and community leaders across the country. That committee will report back later this year.