North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has declared a state of emergency on Wednesday after a man was shot and four police officers injured during the second night of unrest in Charlotte over the fatal police shooting of an African American man —whom protesters claim was unarmed — the day before.
State Highway Patrol is sending in troopers to further help the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. Additional state resources nearby.
— Pat McCrory (@PatMcCroryNC) September 22, 2016
In a contrast to prior police shootings that have created uproars in cities across the countries, in this case the police officer who shot the man is also black.
In Charlotte, protesters gathered again on Wednesday, angry about the killing of 43 year old Keith Scott.
Charlotte police said they were searching for a man with an outstanding warrant when they saw Scott getting out of his car with a gun in hand. He then went back into his vehicle, at which point the police deemed him an imminent threat, surrounded his car and opened fire. Onlookers and Scott’s family deny this version, claiming Scott was unarmed and was shot as he reading a book in his car while waiting for his son to be dropped off by the school bus.
Dam-cash footage of the incident is currently being reviewed by investigators.
What started off as a peaceful protest on Wednesday quickly took a violent turn when riled up protesters began setting trash cans on fire and throwing glass bottles and fireworks at police forces in riot gear, who responded with tear gas and flash grenades to disperse the crowds.
Things descended into further chaos after one protester was reportedly shot by another civilian outside a hotel during a violent altercation with the police.
He was brought to hospital in critical condition and is now on life support. The city had initially reported that the man was deceased, before correcting their mistake.
CORRECTION UPDATE: Civilian who suffered gunshot wound during protests is on life support, critical condition. Not deceased.
— City of Charlotte (@CLTgov) September 22, 2016
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department denies firing the shot.
Several journalists were also reportedly injured throughout the night. A CNN reporter was tackled to the ground while he was broadcasting, and a reporter and cameraman for WCNC-TV were taken to hospital after being assaulted, the TV station claims.
Governor McCrory said the National Guard and State troopers will be deployed to tame the crowds and restore order to the city.
“We cannot tolerate violence. We cannot tolerate the destruction of property and will not tolerate the attacks against our police officers that is occurring right now,” he told CNN on Wednesday.
The North Carolina chapter of the NAACP condemned Wednesday night’s violence in a statement, saying “unjust, random, purposeless acts of violence” undermined the “legitimate calls for justice.” The organization also called for the “full release of all facts available.”
Four officers were injured and a dozen protesters arrested, according to authorities.
