S. Carolina Cop Charged With Murder After Graphic Video Shows Him Shooting Black Man in Back

A South Carolina officer has been charged with murder after video surfaced showing him shoot a 50-year-old black man in the back during a traffic stop Saturday, officials said.

Records with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office showed that 33-year-old officer Michael Slager was arrested Tuesday and charged for Walter Scott's death.

Video published by the New York Times showed Slager fire eight rounds at Scott as the 50-year-old desperately tried to escape.

Authorities had previously said Scott was pulled over for a broken brake light when he fled the officer on foot. Slager claimed through his lawyer that he attempted to use his taser, but said Scott took it during a struggle and that he used lethal force because he "felt threatened," The Post and Courier reported.

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summney addressed the incident during a press conference Tuesday.

“When you’re wrong, you’re wrong,” Summey said, according to The Post and Courier. “When you make a bad decision, don’t care if you’re behind the shield or a citizen on the street, you have to live with that decision.”

The Post and Courier reported that Scott had been arrested 10 times previously, mostly for failure to attend court hearings and pay child support. He was, however, arrested in 1987 for assault and battery.

Slager had previously served in the military before becoming a member of the North Charleston Police Department more than five years ago, according to the Post and Courier.

—

Follow Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) on Twitter