CHARLOTTE, NC – SEPTEMBER 21: Protesters tend to a seriously wounded protester in the parking area of the the Omni Hotel during a march to protest the death of Keith Scott September 21, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. But it’s unclear what the body cameras worn by three officers who were present during the shooting may have captured. “That begins with actions like releasing the video and calling for transparency, accountability and collaboration”, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams said, in a statement posted on Facebook.
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According to Charlotte police, they observed Mr Scott exit his vehicle while holding a handgun. Police responded with rubber bullets, pepper spray, flash grenades and tear gas. “We can not tolerate the destruction of property and will not tolerate the attacks towards our police officers that are occurring right now, and I feel very strongly about that”, Gov. McCrory told reporters as violence broke out on the streets.
William Barber, president of North Carolina’s chapter of the NAACP, called for the “full release of all facts available”, and said NAACP officials planned to meet with city officials and members of Scott’s family on Thursday.
Wednesday afternoon The Village at College Downs complex where the shooting happened friends and neighbors say this is a case of he said she said at its absolute worst. Officers are required to wear body cameras during patrol and the cameras must be kept on during an arrest, as per the department’s policy.
And there was a second shooting – a civilian at the protests who had to be evacuated from the scene in an armored vehicle. It also was not clear if she witnessed the shooting.
Lynch, a native of North Carolina, called on those who bring violence to stop. “I think they shot him four times, I’m not sure, but he’s dead”.
The officer involved in the shooting said that Scott was armed and threatening; a witness at the scene contends that Scott was holding a book. “You wanna make a f–” fabricated story”, the woman can be heard saying live on air.
As night fell, a massive crowd of people gathered on Old Concord Road, chanting in protest. “Since black lives do not matter for this city, then our black dollars shouldn’t matter”. They said, “several officers injured tonight working to protect our community during demonstration”.
As reported above, the turmoil prompted Governor McCrory to declare a state of emergency in an attempt to restore peace.
The family plans a news conference Wednesday in the neighborhood where the shooting occurred.
Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts appealed for calm and patience as the shooting is investigated.
McCrory said in a statement late Wednesday he was also sending the National Guard to Charlotte as scattered groups of protesters continued to attack reporters and other people, break windows and set small fires in North Carolina’s largest city.
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The Tuesday shooting of 43-year-old Keith Lamont Scott sparked the chaos.
