Walter Scott shooting: North Charleston protests over unarmed black man killing by police

Protests have been held in North Charleston, South Carolina, following the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man by a white police officer.

Officer Michael Slager was charged with murder and sacked after video emerged of him shooting Walter Scott multiple times in the back following a scuffle.

Michael Slager was arrested when authorities reviewed mobile phone video of the shooting, which took place on April 4.

The incident has been widely condemned, and the US Department of Justice and the FBI are investigating.

Cries of “Black lives matter!” rang out as about 50 protesters joined local politicians outside City Hall in North Charleston on April 8.

Appearing on ABC’s Good Morning America, Walter Scott’s mother described the video as “the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen”.

“I almost couldn’t look at it to see my son running defenselessly, being shot. It tore my heart to pieces,” Judy Scott said.

Other members of the family said they were grateful the video came to light and the authorities had acted quickly in response.

Michael Slager was fired from the force on Wednesday, as North Charleston Police Chief Eddie Driggers said he was “sickened” by the video.

The incident on April 4 began after Walter Scott’s car was stopped for having a broken rear light, local media reported.

A video of the incident published by the New York Times shows a brief scuffle before Walter Scott begins running away.

The video then shows the officer firing several shots at Walter Scott, who falls to the ground.

Michael Slager said at the weekend, through his lawyer, that he feared for his safety as Walter Scott had tried to grab his stun gun.

The same lawyer, David Aylor, told the Daily Beast he dropped Michael Slager as a client after the video become public.

Michael Slager appeared without a lawyer at his first court hearing on April 7. He could face up to life in prison if convicted of murder.

Walter Scott had four children, was engaged and had been honorably discharged from the US Coast Guard.

According to the Post and Courier newspaper of Charleston, Walter Scott had been arrested about 10 times, mostly for failing to pay child support or not showing up for court hearings.