CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 24 (UPI) — Police in Charlotte on Saturday released body and dashcam video recorded during officers’ fatal encounter with a 43-year-old man, along with photos and other evidence they say justifies the shooting.
Unclear in the video: Whether Keith L. Scott was holding a gun.
Scott’s fatal shooting on Tuesday sparked days of protest and violence in Charlotte, killing one protester, amid debate about whether officer’s actions were justified.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department initially refused to release the video because it is part of an ongoing investigation. Scrutiny and outrage grew, especially after the family released video Friday that was taken by Scott’s wife.
On Saturday, Charlotte police posted two videos online.
Ahead of the release, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney said they may not provide any additional clarity in the investigation. He remains convinced Scott had committed a crime and had a gun.
“The video does not give me absolute, definitive visual evidence that would confirm that a person is pointing a gun,” Putney said at a press conference.
Officers initially stopped Scott because he appeared to be in possession of marijuana — a photo of which was released by police — and say he was holding a gun. Scott was shot after allegedly refusing to drop the gun.
The investigation is still ongoing, Putney said, and that as more information can be released without affecting the investigation, he’ll release it.
“Our practice and our protocol is to release as soon as we can, to inform,” he said, adding that he waited for the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to give him the all clear on releasing material connected to the case.
