Walter Scott’s Family Speaks Out After Police Officer Charged With His Murder – “What If There Was No Video?”

Charleston, SC — Michael Slager, a white police officer in North Charleston, South Carolina, has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Walter Scott, who was black and apparently unarmed. Raw cellphone video taken by a bystander shows Slager firing eight times as Scott ran away from him.

Slager has been denied bond and is being held at the local Charleston County Detention Center. Reportedly, a murder conviction in the state could lead to the death penalty or up to 30 years to life in prison, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Meanwhile, his family has already spoken out and said that they will be filing a lawsuit against the city.

During a press conference, Scott’s brother said, “All we wanted was the truth… If there wasn’t a video, would we know the truth?” He continued, “I don’t think that all police officers are bad, but they are some bad ones…. We need prayer because prayer changes things, and justice will be served.”

During an interview on Good Morning America, Scott’s mom said, “When I looked at that tape, that was the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen. I am very, very upset concerning it. I almost couldn’t look at it. To see my son running, defenselessly being shot, it just tore my heart to pieces.”

Watch the Recent Interview on CNN with Don Lemon:

Watch the Actual Shooting:

Use of deadly force by police has created an outrage about police brutality, particularly in confrontations with unarmed black men. In the past year, scores of unarmed men have been killed by police including well-known incidents in Ferguson, Missouri, New York and Cleveland, and more.