Charlotte Officer Responsible For Fatal Shooting of Keith Lamont Will Not Face Internal Discipline
In September of 2016 the city of Charlotte was sparked into outrage, protests, and riots after the fatal shooting of Keith Lamont Scott. The circumstance of the shooting were brought into question when police stated Scott exited his automobile with a hand gun, but his widow stated he had exited the car with a book.
Police stated a gun was found on the scene, no book was found, and because Scott did not comply, his murder was justified. This case had police camera footage, but as we’re learning with video evidence, it usually only tells part of the story and often raises additional questions.
Anytime a government entity takes the life of a citizen, we as concerned citizens should ask questions and hold the state to a high burden of proof and explanation. Truth be told, in this case, I don’t know or have all the evidence, I can’t tell you what happened on that day. I have legitimate concerns as to whether proper procedure was followed, and if that was proper procedure, I’m concerned maybe Charlotte should look at its procedures.
That being said, I don’t know what happened so while skeptical, I can’t say I am as outraged with this outcome, as I have been with so many other of these situations that have made national headlines.
What concerns me more about this is the powder keg that was set off because of this incident. Yes people were upset over Scott, but the protests and outrage were deeply rooted in something else. There was clearly high levels of distrust between the police and minority community in Charlotte. Like Ferguson, what came after the “headline event” (Brown and Scott’s murder) was something that had been building for years and possibly even decades. There was no trust between the community and the force entrusted to protect it. And yes there were white faces that were passionate about the cause in both instances, this came down to black and brown people standing up to what they saw and felt was an oppressive government force. The police response in both instances involved using military weapons, equipment, and strategies to disperse the crowds.
As a country we have to find a way to reintroduce the trust, establish a healthy relationship, and bring an end to the fire burning in our black and brown urban settings.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has determined that an officer followed proper procedures when he fatally shot Keith Lamont Scott last fall and will not be disciplined, according to documents the Observer obtained Friday.
Officer Brentley Vinson was justified in killing Scott during a confrontation outside a University City apartment complex Sept. 20, says a letter the department sent to Scott’s widow.
Police have said officers spotted Scott, 43, in a SUV with marijuana and a gun. Vinson told investigators he shot because he feared for his life and the lives of other officers on the scene.
Following Scott’s death, riots and street demonstrations roiled Charlotte, prompted dozens of arrests and pushed Gov. Pat McCrory to declare a state of emergency. Mecklenburg County District Attorney Andrew Murray previously ruled that the shooting was legally justified and that Vinson would not face criminal charges.
But protesters and some law enforcement experts question whether CMPD unnecessarily resorted to deadly force against a person with a traumatic brain injury that made it difficult for him to follow directions. They also argue that Scott was sitting alone in the SUV and did not appear to pose a threat to anyone before police approached him.
As a result of CMPD’s internal findings, Vinson won’t face termination, suspension or other severe discipline stemming from the shooting.
A review board comprised of CMPD leaders, a police attorney and a member of the city’s Community Relations Committee met March 20 and determined that the shooting was proper because Scott got out of the vehicle with a gun and refused repeated commands to drop the weapon.
Vinson’s decision to shoot was “a justified use of force pursuant to CMPD policy,” says the letter, dated April 17, 2017. “The Board also concluded that Officer Vison’s action were consistent with North Carolina law.”
But attorney Charles Monnett, who represents Scott’s family, harshly criticized the findings, saying that it shows “it’s darn near impossible to objectively investigate yourself.”
CMPD policy dictates that officers only use deadly force when faced with “aggravated active aggression,” which includes discharging a firearm, use of a blunt or bladed weapon and extreme physical force.
Monnett said Scott’s family plans to file a complaint with the Citizens Review Board, a civilian oversight panel that looks into allegations of misconduct against CMPD officers.
“After reading the police interviews, it was clear they weren’t asking tough questions,” Monnett said. “They did not use the same interrogation techniques they would use if a suspect was accused of shooting a police officer.”
Experts say it is rare for officers to face criminal charges or stiff internal discipline following on-duty shootings. They said it is difficult for commanders to second-guess officers making difficult life-and-death decisions.
Steve
Steve is an affordable multifamily housing professional that is also the co-founder of Whiskey Congress. Steve has written for national publications such as The National Marijuana News and other outlets as a guest blogger on topics covering sports, politics, and cannabis. Steve loves whiskey, cigars, and uses powerlifting as an outlet to deal with the fact that no one listens to his brilliant ideas.
