American cop Michael Thomas Slager has been charged with the murder of 50-year-old Walter Scott after video footage apparently showed him shooting the father-of-four as he ran away, despite Scott being unarmed and showing no threat.
The video then shows Slager continuing to fire shots before he put handcuffs on Mr Scott’s lifeless body.
Slager is then seen walking back to the point where he fired 8 rounds of shots before walking back to Mr Scott’s body and dropping an object next to him.
Reports have claimed that the object is a stun gun, which Slager claims Mr Scott tried to grab from him.
It is not known who filmed the footage, but it was sent to the mayor of North Charleston (South Carolina). The warrant for Slager’s arrest was then issued.
Walter Scott’s brother Anthony told reporters: "My family is in deep mourning. I don't think all police officers are bad but there are some bad ones out there, and I don't want to see anyone get shot down the way my brother got shot.
“We've all seen the video. If there wasn't a video, would we have known the truth?"
Walter’s family lawyer said: It goes to power itself. This was a cop who felt like he could just get away with shooting someone that many times in the back.
"It speaks to the value of human life."
Civil rights campaigners are now organising protests but Walter’s family have asked for ‘calm’ following the death of their loved one.