This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/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-10161142.html
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Walter Scott shooting: White police officer charged with murder after video emerges of him 'killing unarmed black man as he ran away' | Walter Scott shooting: White police officer charged with murder after video emerges of him 'killing unarmed black man as he ran away' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A white US police officer has been charged with murder after a video emerged of him shooting an unarmed black man in the back as he tried to run away. | A white US police officer has been charged with murder after a video emerged of him shooting an unarmed black man in the back as he tried to run away. |
| Michael Slager, the officer in North Charleston, South Carolina, shot 50-year-old Walter Scott five times following a scuffle between the two on Saturday morning after he reportedly tried to stop him over a broken light in his car. | Michael Slager, the officer in North Charleston, South Carolina, shot 50-year-old Walter Scott five times following a scuffle between the two on Saturday morning after he reportedly tried to stop him over a broken light in his car. |
| News of the arrest came when the 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 had been taken by Scott. | News of the arrest came when the 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 had been taken by Scott. |
| A video of the shooting shows the officer firing eight shots at Scott's back as Scott is running away. Scott falls on the eighth shot, fired after a brief pause. The video then shows the officer slowly walking toward him, and ordering him to put his hands behind his back. | A video of the shooting shows the officer firing eight shots at Scott's back as Scott is running away. Scott falls on the eighth shot, fired after a brief pause. The video then shows the officer slowly walking toward him, and ordering him to put his hands behind his back. |
| When Scott doesn't move, Slager pulls his arms back and cuffs his hands. Then he walks briskly back to where he fired the shots, picks up an object, and returns the 30 feet (10 meters) or so back to Scott before dropping the object by Scott's feet. | When Scott doesn't move, Slager pulls his arms back and cuffs his hands. Then he walks briskly back to where he fired the shots, picks up an object, and returns the 30 feet (10 meters) or so back to Scott before dropping the object by Scott's feet. |
| Scott is pictued trying to escape from Slager Slager points his weapon on Scott as he runs away Slager is seen apparently firing on Scott Scott is falling over after the eighth shot is fired Slager stands over Scott right after the shooting Slager appears to handcuff Scott's lifeless body Another officer arrives at the scene and inspects Scott's body Slager is seen walking back and dropping an object next to the body Th More officeres arrive at the scence e video, 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. |
| Walter Scott in the Coast Guard uniform 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. | Walter Scott in the Coast Guard uniform 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. |
| Brothers of Walter Scott, Rodney Scott (L) Anthony Scott (R) appear at a news conference in Charleston after the shooting 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. | Brothers of Walter Scott, Rodney Scott (L) Anthony Scott (R) appear at a news conference in Charleston after the shooting 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. |