Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) spoke out quickly on the murder charges against a police officer in North Charleston captured on video shooting a fleeing 50-year-old man multiple times in the back.
“The horrific video that came to light yesterday is deeply troubling,” the senator said. “It is clear the killing of Walter Scott was unnecessary and avoidable, and my prayers are with the Scott family as they go through this ordeal. The swift action taken by [South Carolina Law Enforcement Division] and the relevant authorities upon receiving the video shows the severity of this terrible event.”
“With several protests planned today, I join community leaders in North Charleston in calling for peace. I understand the hurt, the frustration and the anger many are feeling today. But violence solves nothing,” Scott added.
“We must come together as a community, as a state, and as a nation in working to bring our communities together and rebuild trust.”
The senator was born and raised in North Charleston and is no relation to the victim.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said the “horrific video is very difficult to watch and deeply troubling on many fronts.”
“I have full confidence this incident will continue to be investigated by the relevant authorities, the legal process will proceed, and ultimately, justice will be done,” Graham said. “I also know the actions of the officer in this situation do not accurately reflect on the many valuable contributions made by thousands of law enforcement officers in South Carolina and across our nation.”
Officer Michael T. Slager, 33, said he pulled over Walter Scott for a broken taillight and the man, whose family said he owed back child support, fled. The officer said Scott took his Taser during a struggle but then a video of the encounter surfaced:
But the video, which was taken by a bystander and provided to The New York Times by the Scott family’s lawyer, presents a different account. The video begins in the vacant lot, apparently moments after Officer Slager fired his Taser. Wires, which carry the electrical current from the stun gun, appear to be extending from Mr. Scott’s body as the two men tussle and Mr. Scott turns to run.
Something — it is not clear whether it is the stun gun — is either tossed or knocked to the ground behind the two men, and Officer Slager draws his gun, the video shows. When the officer fires, Mr. Scott appears to be 15 to 20 feet away and fleeing. He falls after the last of eight shots.
The officer then runs back toward where the initial scuffle occurred and picks something up off the ground. Moments later, he drops an object near Mr. Scott’s body, the video shows.
The police report also says CPR and first aid were administered to Scott, but the video shows two more officers arriving and no one performing CPR as he lay handcuffed, face-first on the ground.
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