Lawyer: Scott family calls on CMPD to release shooting video
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Lawyers for the family of Keith Scott, killed Tuesday by police, said it was "incredibly difficult" for the family to watch police videos of the shooting, and the videos should be released to the public.
The family's attorney stated the video shows "while police did give [Scott] several commands, he did not aggressively approach them or raise his hands at members of law enforcement at any time."
The family is calling on Charlotte-Mecklenburg police to immediately release the videos to the public.
Read the full statement below:
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 do so peacefully.
Charlotte Police Chief Kerr Putney said earlier Thursday he won't release the body and dashboard camera video while the criminal investigation into Tuesday's shooting continues.
Scott, 43, was shot Tuesday at an apartment complex on the city's northeast side. Police said Scott refused repeated demands to drop his gun. Scott's family quickly challenged the police account of the fatal shooting, saying he was not armed and that Scott, a father of seven, was holding a book and waiting for his son to be dropped off from school.
Putney told ABC News the video that shows Scott had a gun in his hand. He also confirmed the gun in the video is the gun they recovered at the scene.
The family was planning on speaking to the public Thursday afternoon. Bamberg, one of the family's attorneys, insisted the family needed more time to grieve before addressing the media.
WATCH: Scott family attorneys address the media
"Right now, this family is in deep mourning," Bamberg. "They lack the answers to bring closure to their lives," said one of the family's lawyers.
The Scott family legal team told the media that they plan to investigate the shooting to make sure officers' actions were lawful.
"Quite frankly, we don't know what's on the video," Bamberg said before the family viewed the video. "We know what law enforcement says is on the video."
WATCH: Charlotte police union spokesman said video showed Scott had gun
During the question and answer portion of the news conference, the lawyers were asked if anyone in Scott's family witnessed the shooting.
"It is my understanding that his wife saw him get shot and killed," Bamberg said.
Bamberg told reporters that police need to be more transparent in their conversations with the public and with the family.
"Don't release some information, don't play hide the ball. If you're going to release some information, release all of the information," he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
