But the second night of violent protests, added Charlotte to the list of US cities that have erupted in violence over the death of a black man at the hands of police.
Advertisement
– Violent protests ensued throughout Tuesday night into Wednesday morning following the deadly shooting of a Charlotte man by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer.
Protestors put cargo from tractor trailers onto a fire on I-85 (Interstate 85) during protests following the death of a man shot by a police officer on September 20, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. As the protest grew in size and anger, police appeared in riot gear and fired tear gas and rubber bullets.
The violence – in which 16 police officers were wounded and stores were looted – erupted Tuesday night, hours after the shooting death of Keith Lamont Scott, 43, who police say was armed and ignored several commands to drop his weapon.
The shooting inflamed racial tensions in a city that seemed to have steered clear of the troubles that engulfed other places.
Demonstrators gathered late Tuesday near an apartment complex in the city of Charlotte where the shooting occurred, carrying signs that read “Black Lives Matter” and chanting “No justice, no peace!” local television reported.
Charlotte City Councilman Kenny Smith said that at least seven police officers had been taken to area hospitals. He said officers couldn’t find a book at the scene.
Neighbors, though, said that the officer who fired was white and that Scott had his hands in the air. “We know this is not who Charlotte is”, Mayor Jennifer Roberts said on CNN, calling on people to stay home and off the streets. On Monday, police in Tulsa, Okla., released video footage of Terence Crutcher’s death, which also resulted in protests.
KERR PUTNEY, Charlotte Police Chief: It’s time to change the narrative, because I can tell you from the facts that the story is a little bit different as to how it’s been portrayed so far, especially through social media. “I can also tell you we did not find a book”, Putney said. “He was sitting in his vehicle reading a mother******* book”.
There were hints earlier Wednesday that Charlotte would suffer a second night of destruction.
At least seven people were hospitalized with minor injuries, WSOC reported.
“People get upset when we say ‘black lives matter, black lives matter, ‘ said a student”.
A woman claiming to be Scott’s daughter posted a video to Facebook soon after the shooting, saying that her father had an unspecified disability and was unarmed when he was shot.
The television station said Vinson and other officers were searching for a suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant.
Some demonstrators banged on windows, others threw objects at police and stood on cars.
Charlotte’s police chief, Kerr Putney, said officers had surrounded Scott’s auto in an apartment complex parking lot Tuesday afternoon after seeing him with a handgun. Meanwhile, the FAA has revised its policy for users flying with their Note 7s.
Police sources confirm to NBC Charlotte that a witness’ photo taken moments after the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott shows a gun at his feet.
“It breaks my heart to see something like this happen, and I have a really hard time believing that Brent shot a man in his auto while waiting for his (son) for no reason”, Marsh said.
“It’s a tragic event, and my heart goes out to the Scott family for their loss”, Putney said.
Advertisement
WILLIAM BRANGHAM: And by late this afternoon, protests were starting up again.
