The recent shooting of Walter Scott has brought immediate reaction from both the community in North Charleston, South Carolina as well as the local law enforcement. Officer Michael T. Slager was arrested on Tuesday with murder charges and the police department announced his termination as an officer on Wednesday.
The shooting that took place on Saturday was met with national outrage as activists took to the streets. Many protesters began to take note that Walter Scott was an African American man while the Officer was Caucasian. It is currently unclear whether or not race was the motive behind former officer Slager's actions.
Mayor Keith Sumney of North Charleston responded quickly. On Wednesday he stated that the city would implement the use of some 250 body cameras. Every officer in the city will be required to wear the body camera while on duty, says the mayor.
A video taken by bystander Feidin Santana, a barber in the area, captured parts of the event. Scott was pulled over for a broken taillight on Saturday and was shot eight times by Slager. The former officer stated that he feared for his life and opened fire after Scott had tried to take his taser. Santana's video clearly shows that Scott was running away from Slager with his back turned toward the officer. After Scott had managed to run a few yards Slager fired eight rounds into Scott's back. The video does not illustrate Slager being in any immediate danger.
After Scott falls flat on his stomach, Slager picks up something from the ground and walks towards Scott. As he reaches Scott, who is face down, Slager tosses the object near him. He then proceeds to handcuff Scott.
"I have watched the video, and I was sickened by what I saw," North Charleston police Chief Eddie Driggers said.
The autopsy revealed that Scott died from the multiple gunshot wounds in the back of his body. His death was ruled as a homicide by the city's Coroner's Office.
Though the video shows the events immediately before the shooting, it does not show the beginning of the confrontation. Scott was initially pulled over by Slager in his vehicle, but the video shows the two on the grass a good distance away from the road. Scott allegedly ran away from the officer after being pulled over. Justin Bamberg, the Scott family's lawyer, stated that Scott might have ran away because of his previous arrest. Scott was arrested in the past for failing to pay child support.
"I don't think he wanted to go back to jail," said Bamberg.
Throughout the city, protesters filled the streets and expressed statements relating the incident to the Ferguson and New York City incidents. Some protesters have been demanding that Mayor Sumney resign. The North Charleston officials and law enforcement worked quickly in efforts to diffuse any rage in the community. As of Wednesday, protests have not gone out of hand and remain peaceful.
