© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

S.C. Dashcam Video: A Broken Tail Light, A Routine Traffic Stop, A Fleeing Man

Dashcam video released by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division shows a routine traffic stop by Officer Michael Slager in North Charleston that eventually resulted in Walter Scott, 50, running from the vehicle.

Slager, as video footage of the shooting released earlier this week shows, shot Scott in the back, killing him. Slager was fired for last weekend's shooting and has been charged with the killing.

The video released Thursday shows Slager's patrol car stopping a black Mercedes with a broken tail light. Scott, the car's driver, can be heard telling the officer he is planning to buy the car — and so does not have insurance for it.

Slager then returns to his vehicle. The driver's-side door of the Mercedes opens and Scott begins to run. The passenger in the car remains inside. You can watch the video here.

After the shooting that followed, which the dashcam video does not show, Slager said Scott had tried to take his Taser. But a bystander's video showed the officer firing eight rounds at Scott, who was running away from him. Scott fell to the ground; Slager then handcuffed him.

As we reported earlier Thursday, Slager was accused in 2013 of using excessive force against an unarmed man he wrongly took to be a suspect in a case. He was exonerated.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Krishnadev Calamur is NPR's deputy Washington editor. In this role, he helps oversee planning of the Washington desk's news coverage. He also edits NPR's Supreme Court coverage. Previously, Calamur was an editor and staff writer at The Atlantic. This is his second stint at NPR, having previously worked on NPR's website from 2008-15. Calamur received an M.A. in journalism from the University of Missouri.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content