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South Carolina Police Officer Fired After Shooting Death of Unarmed Man

Amanda Scurlock |
April 9, 2015 | 10:43 a.m. PDT

Web Producer

North Charleston has around 100,000 residents, 47 percent of whom are African Americans, according to New York Times (Richard Ellis/Getty Images News)
North Charleston has around 100,000 residents, 47 percent of whom are African Americans, according to New York Times (Richard Ellis/Getty Images News)

A white Police officer in North Charleston, South Caroline was charged for murder and dismissed from his job after a video showed him shooting an unarmed black man surfaced to the public, according to the Voice of America

Police officer Michael T. Slager said the man took his stun gun and he had feared his life. However, the video shows victim, Walter L. Scott running and the officer firing eight shots at him, according to the New York Times. Slager pulled over Scott to address a broken taillight, according to CNN.

READ MORE: Bystanders Struggle With Legality of Filming Police

The FBI is investigating the shooting. The North Charleston Police Department put the case in the hands of the South Carolina Law Enforcement although they do not have to, according to CNN. Former officer Slager discovered that Scott had a warrant out for his arrest due to outstanding child support payments, according to ABC News. Outstanding child support payments could result in a jail sentence in South Carolina, according to CBS.

The Scott Family’s attorney believes the warrants caused Scott to run away from the officer, according to ABC News. In the past year, at least three white officers have been charged in the shooting death of an unarmed black man, Slager is one of them. All of these cases are ongoing, according to Mother Jones.

The police officers of North Charleston are notorious use of Tasers, according to the Daily Beast. In 2006, a local newspaper discovered their cops used Tasers 201 times in a span of 18 months. The Tasers were used disproportionally on African Americans. Slager once used a Taser on a man while leading him from his house; the man was only wearing underwear. A witness argued the man did nothing to provoke the former officer, but the complaint was deemed unfounded, according to the Daily Beast.  

SEE MORE: LAPD Body Cameras Could Be 'A Cop-Out' Say Angelenos

The White House task force are suggesting changes in the country’s police policy, according to New York Times. The incident has sparked protests in front of North Charleston City Hall, rally members chant “Black lives matter,” and “all lives matter,” according to USA Today

Slager will remain in custody until a court sets his bond, according to CNN. Attorney David Aylor represented Slager and stated the incident was “tragic” but the officer “followed all the proper procedures and policies.” The attorney no longer represents officer Slager, according to ABC News.  

Slager could face 30 years to life in prison if he get convicted, according to CBS.

The Supreme Court stated that an officer may use deadly force against an escaping suspect only if said suspect “poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others,” according to the New York Times. 

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