Fatal Police Shooting Of Walter Scott Leads To Murder Charge For South Carolina Officer

Yesterday the New York Times published graphic video of Walter Scott, a 50 year-old South Carolina man, being fatally shot in the back by a police officer. The incident, which took place in North Charleston, South Carolina, has lead to a murder charge being brought against the offending officer.

The incident began on the morning of Saturday, April 4th, during which officer Michael Slager pulled Scott over for a broken tail light. Scott was made to exit his vehicle, and following a confrontation, the unarmed man fled the officer on foot. Slager immediately pulled his firearm and fired at Scott a total of 8 times, who fell to the ground and ultimately died of his injuries.

Following the shooting, Slager reportedly told his dispatcher “Shots fired and the subject is down, he took my Taser." However, the Times's video clearly shows Slager handcuffing the body of the unarmed man, then retracing his steps to his dropped taser, bringing it back to the body, and leaving it on the ground nearby. The Washington Post has reported that South Carolina police's claims of Scott being hit by the officer's taser are now being disputed by city officials who claim the two men were never close enough for the weapon to be deployed.

Slager had yet to be formally charged until the video's release yesterday evening. However, the officer has since been fired from his position, charged with murder and denounced by his former police chief.

Outcry over the incident has been swift and understandably heated. In a New York Times op-ed, Charles Blow began by professing "I am truly weary, deep in my bones, of writing these columns about the killings of unarmed people of color by the police. Indeed, you may be weary of reading them," and later cited the video's impact on legal proceedings as further proof that the wider use of police body cameras is needed now more than ever. "What would have happened if video of this incident had not surfaced?" Blow asked. "Would the officer’s version of events have stood? How many such cases must there be where there is no video?"

An attorney representing Scott's family told the Times that Scott may have ran because he owed back child support and feared being arrested.

Numerous Okayplayer artists have also spoken out against the Walter Scott shooting, including CEO-in-chief Questlove, who last night tweeted his take:

Talib Kweli, who were both deeply involved in the protest and reform movements in the wake of last year's Ferguson, Missouri killing of Michael Brown, also fired off his sentiments.

With news continuing to unfold and Slager's trial still to come, be sure to keep a keen watch for more details as they surface. Watch the harrowing video of the incident that lead to Walter Scott's death below. Now, more than ever, #BlackLivesMatter.