The killing of Keith Lamont Scott was captured on video, but police will not release the footage. According to Charlotte Police Chief Kerr Putney, Scott’s shooting was captured on police officer’s body cameras.
Putney fabricated when he claimed that it was against the state’s law to release the footage because it requires a court order. However, the law that Putney was referring to has yet to go into effect. The department could actually release the video today according to the ACLU. The law that Putney is speaking about goes into effect on Oct. 1.
Putney’s choice to keep the video under wraps is another example of police failing to be transparent with the community. Scott was killed by police while sitting in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Several witnesses say he was reading a book before he was shot by police, but police countered by saying that Scott had a gun and failed to comply when asked to drop his weapon.
Following the shooting, protesters hit the streets in Charlotte and some damage was done to cars and property. But while protestors have been ridiculed for reacting with violence, the police are perpetuating the violence by not being transparent. By failing to release video of the killing, the police are creating a level of distrust within the community.
Scott, 43, was a father of seven and lived with disabilities. Officer Bentley Vinson, who is Black, has been identified as Scott’s shooter.
