Attorney: Scott family views shooting video, has more questions than answers
CHARLOTTE, NC (WJZY) - An attorney for relatives of a man shot and killed by an officer in Charlotte says the family viewed police video of the shooting on Thursday.
The following is a statement from Justin Bamberg, attorney for the family of Keith Lamont Scott:
"Keith Lamont Scott's wife and other members of her family viewed two videos captured by police dashboard and body cameras that showed Mr. Scott's shooting death.
After watching the videos, the family again has more questions than answers.
When told by police to exit his vehicle, Mr. Scott did so in a very calm, non-aggressive manner.
While police did give him several commands, he did not aggressively approach them or raise his hands at members of law enforcement at any time.
It is impossible to discern from the videos what, if anything, Mr. Scott is holding in his hands.
When he was shot and killed, Mr. Scott's hands were by his side and he was slowly walking backwards.
It was incredibly difficult for members of the Scott family to view these videos, but as a matter of the greater good and transparency, the Scott family asks that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department publicly immediately release both of the videos they watched today.
We will continue our own investigation into Mr. Scott's death. For those who wish to protest, we urge you to do so peacefully."
Attorney Justin Bamberg spoke on behalf of the family of 43-year-old Keith Lamont Scott during a news conference.
The family was not present, he says, because they were still grieving.
Manberg said the Scott family does not agree with recent rioting in the Queen City, but support citizens' right to voice their anger.
The family plans to review video captured by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers later Thursday evening.
Charlotte Police Chief Kerr Putney has said that Scott refused commands to drop a gun; residents say he was unarmed. Putney also says the video does not definitively show whether Scott pointed the gun at anyone.
RELATED: Police Chief honors families request to see shooting video of Keith Scott
Attorneys for the family include Eduardo Curry of North Charleston, S.C., Justin Bamberg of Orangeburg, S.C. and Charles Monnett of Charlotte.
Monnett represented the family of Jonathan Ferrell, the former FAMU football player who was shot and killed by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer in 2013.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Check back for updates on this developing story.