Police also revealed for the first time that officers had made a decision to confront Scott, 43, in the parking lot of his apartment complex Tuesday because they noticed, as they were preparing to serve a warrant on another person, that he was rolling a marijuana cigarette inside his SUV – and had observed him “hold a gun up”, according to a news release.
Advertisement
CMPDPolice in Charlotte have released footage from a body camera and a dashcam of the police shooting of Keith Scott last Tuesday.
Another camera, worn by a uniformed Charlotte police officer, shows that man running up to the encounter.
Widespread calls were heard for release of police video footage from civic and political quarters – and even street protesters who chanted “Release the Tapes!” repeatedly outside police headquarters.
Protesters raises their fists as they observer a moment of silence as they march in the streets of Charlotte, N.C., Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, over Tuesday’s fatal police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott. It’s unclear if there was anything in the man’s hands.
The development comes a day after Charlotte’s police chief said the department would not publicly release video footage of Smith’s shooting that was captured by police body and dash cams.
The family had originally contended that Scott was carrying a book, not a gun, but after viewing the police video on Thursday, said it was “impossible to discern” what, if anything, Scott was carrying, an attorney representing the family said.
In the dashboard camera video released Saturday night, Scott could be seen slowly backing away from his SUV with his hands down. Four shots are heard, and he falls to the ground.
After the gunshots, Scott can be seen lying face-down on the ground while his wife says, “He better live”.
The dashboard camera footage starts with a police vehicle pulling up as two officers point their guns at Mr Scott, who is inside the SUV with the doors closed and windows rolled up. Scott then got out of the auto, a police statement said. There is no body camera footage from that officer.
“After watching the videos”, attorney Justin Bamberg said Thursday, “the family again has more questions than answers”.
Mr Scott’s brother-in-law Ray Dotch objected to reporters’ questions about Mr Scott’s background, saying he should not have to “humanise him in order for him to be treated fairly”.
“What we know and what you should know about him is that he was an American citizen who deserved better”, he added.
He described the police videos as supporting other evidence, rather than being standalone proof.
Putney said he will not charge the officers, but he added that the State Bureau of Investigation is still investigating.
“We have appreciated the ongoing dialogue and teamwork”, McCrory said, “between state and city officials to seek public transparency while protecting the integrity of the investigation and the rights of all parties involved in this case”.
Mr Putney said Mr Scott was “absolutely in possession of a handgun”.
“I believe we are at a stage where we can release additional information without adversely affecting the investigation.” said Putney.
Two plainclothes officers in an unmarked vehicle were preparing to serve a warrant on someone else when Scott pulled up and parked next to them, according to the document.
When they returned, the report states, officers saw Scott in possession of a gun for the second time.
The narrative says Mr Scott did not respond to repeated commands to drop his weapon.
After the police vehicle dashboard camera and police body-cam videos were released, a fifth day of protests against Scott’s fatal shooting was largely peaceful.
The footage was released after several days of demonstrations that have coalesced around demands that the public see the video.
The group, which appeared smaller than on previous nights, carried a banner which read: “Just Release the Tapes”.
Scott’s death was the latest in a string of police killings of black men in America, which have unleashed protests and riots across the country and led to worldwide criticism of the United States’ treatment of minorities.
Advertisement
National Guard members posted in front of many downtown buildings watched the demonstrators marching.
