09-22-2016, 10:26 AM
North Carolina
Charlotte is in a state of emergency following a night of protests, looting, several injuries and arrests, and the critical shooting of a protester.
![[Image: _91344707_compo.jpg]](http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/560/cpsprodpb/11458/production/_91344707_compo.jpg)
The protests started after a father was shot outside of his son's school on Tuesday. Keith Lamont Scott (left) was shot by officer Brentley Vison (right).
Vison and other cops were attempting to serve a warrant; turned out Scott was not the guy they were looking for. Members of the community and Scott's family contend that he was sitting in his truck, reading a book, and waiting for his son to get out of school -- like he did every week day. They say he was unarmed.
Police say Scott was armed, he didn't follow instructions, and he was shot dead because they felt he represented a danger to their lives. Police and city officials say they found a gun at the scene, but did not find a book.
Vison was not wearing body cam, but other officers on the scene reportedly were and video of the incident exists.
However, the police will not release the police video footage and the community is demanding transparency. The police contend they won't release the video because it's an ongoing investigation. And, at a time when most states are pushing for more transparency in regards to police shootings, NC has passed a law preventing release of some types of police shootings.
Charlotte is in a state of emergency following a night of protests, looting, several injuries and arrests, and the critical shooting of a protester.
The protests started after a father was shot outside of his son's school on Tuesday. Keith Lamont Scott (left) was shot by officer Brentley Vison (right).
Vison and other cops were attempting to serve a warrant; turned out Scott was not the guy they were looking for. Members of the community and Scott's family contend that he was sitting in his truck, reading a book, and waiting for his son to get out of school -- like he did every week day. They say he was unarmed.
Police say Scott was armed, he didn't follow instructions, and he was shot dead because they felt he represented a danger to their lives. Police and city officials say they found a gun at the scene, but did not find a book.
Vison was not wearing body cam, but other officers on the scene reportedly were and video of the incident exists.
However, the police will not release the police video footage and the community is demanding transparency. The police contend they won't release the video because it's an ongoing investigation. And, at a time when most states are pushing for more transparency in regards to police shootings, NC has passed a law preventing release of some types of police shootings.