Shooting of Keith Scott: Charlotte Police Release Videos of Fatal Shooting

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte police have released two videos that show the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott by police, a fatal encounter that has led to days of protests in the streets of the city as investigators and citizens try to understand what took place.

In explaining his reasoning for releasing the video, police chief Kerr Putney said he was told by the State Bureau of Investigation that releasing the footage would in no way compromise the integrity of the investigation of the shooting. Since Scott was fatally shot, authorities in Charlotte have come under fire from demonstrators and activists for not releasing the video of the fatal shooting.

Speaking to reporters Saturday, Putney said there was no single piece of evidence that shows the complexities of the case. However, he said that he "stands behind the truth."

"It is a complex case," he said. "It is a tragic loss of life."

Putney said people can interpret anything they want based on one piece of evidence and suspects that people would based on the video. However, Putney said it was important to look at all the facts. After interviewing several witnesses, he said the only consistent theme was the facts and that is what he stands behind.

Putney said there was no definitive visual evidence in the video that Scott held a gun but said he was "absolutely in possession of a handgun." Along with the video, police released photos of the gun recovered from the scene.

At the time of the shooting officers were in "the intentional process of detention," Putney said. He deferred a reporter's question to the Charlotte city attorney's office when asked why the office had previously said Scott wasn't being arrested at the time. The reason for Scott's arrest was not clear. Putney said "laws were broken," because Scott was in possession of marijuana. He further said that because he was in possession of a gun, officers believed it was a safety issue.

A police narrative released along with the video said two plain clothes officers were sitting inside of their unmarked police vehicle preparing to serve an arrest warrant in a parking lot, when a white SUV pulled in and parked beside them. The driver of the SUV, identified as Scott, was seen to be rolling a marijuana "blunt," police said.

Police did not consider the drug activity a priority at the time and continued with the procedure to serve the arrest warrant. Officer Brentley Vinson then saw that Scott was in possession of a gun and saw him "hold a gun up," which gave officers probable cause to arrest Scott. Deciding to act in the interest of public safety, officers left the area to mark themselves with marked duty vests, identified themselves as police officers and gave loud and clear verbal commands to drop the gun.

A uniformed officer in a marked patrol vehicle arrived to assist the officers. The uniformed officer used his baton to attempt to breach the front passenger window to try and arrest Scott.

Police say Scott did not comply and he exited his vehicle while continuing to ignore the officers' commands to drop the gun. Vinson, viewing Scott's movements as an imminent threat to himself and to others and fired his weapon, striking Scott.

According to police, multiple independent civilian witnesses confirmed that Scott did not comply to the officers' verbal commands to drop his weapon. Police said Scott's DNA was found on the gun, which was loaded at the time. Police also released a photo of an ankle holster Scott was wearing as well as the photo of the "blunt."

A separate video released by Scott's family on Friday did not show the shooting itself, however shots can be heard in the background while the camera is turned away. Scott's wife, Rakeyia Scott, can be heard telling police that Keith Scott does not have a gun, that he has a traumatic brain injury and that he just took his medicine. In the video, she repeatedly asks police not to shoot him.

At this point, Putney said he knows of only one officer who shot Scott. Putney said he is not charging any officers in relation to the shooting but the state investigation is still ongoing. Asked why the officer who shot Scott was not wearing a body camera, Putney said it was currently under review.

"As governor of North Carolina, I concur with the Charlotte police chief's decision to release the tapes. I have been assured by the State Bureau of Investigation that the release will have no material impact on the independent investigation since most of the known witnesses have been interviewed," North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory said in a statement. "We have appreciated the ongoing dialogue and team work between state and city officials to seek public transparency while protecting the integrity of the investigation and the rights of all parties involved in this case."

The two videos released Saturday are from a police dashcam and a body camera worn by an officer. The body camera footage shows an officer in a marked vest pointing a gun at the window of passenger side of the white SUV and the officer who used his baton to breach the passenger window. As the officer moves, Scott can be seen exiting the vehicle, though it is not apparent whether he is holding the gun at the time. As the officer makes his way around the back of a second vehicle parked to the left of the white SUV, Scott is seen lying motionless on the ground.

(Warning the video below contains graphic content)

The second video from the dashcam shows the moment when Scott exits the car before he is shot.

(Warning the video below contains graphic content)

Patch will update this breaking news story when the video is released.

Image Screenshot via YouTube