Violent Protests Break Out in Charlotte Following Fatal Shooting

Violent Protests Break Out in Charlotte Following Fatal Shooting

Overnight protests in Charlotte, North Carolina led law enforcement to suit up in self-defense riot gear, disperse tear gas and more when the demonstration turned violent, injuring 16 police officers.

The protests broke out Tuesday, Sept. 20 after 43-year-old Keith Lamont Scott was fatally shot by a black officer at an apartment complex on the city’s northeast side. Police had been dispatched to the area in search of a suspect they had an arrest warrant for.

According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney, police approached Scott giving him loud, clear verbal commands to exit his car. When he did so, he brandished a gun, threatening the officers. One officer, a black man, discharged his weapon once hitting Scott. Officers immediately called for paramedics and began the CPR process on Scott but he later succumbed to his injury.

A Facebook post written by a woman claiming to be Scotts daughter asserted that Scott had been shot while unarmed, sitting in his car reading a book. The Associated Press and other news sources have been unable to verify the authenticity of this post.

“"It's time to change the narrative.” Chief Putney said during a press conference on Wednesday morning. “I can tell you from the facts; the story is different than what has been portrayed through social media."

Police revealed at the press conference that a gun had been recovered from the scene of the shooting and they were unable to find evidence that a book was present.

Tuesday night, a large group of demonstrators gathered near the scene of the shooting. The police tweeted that the demonstrators were destroying marked police vehicles and that approximately 12 officers had been injured at the time. One police officer sustained injuries to the face after rock was thrown at him.

Photos and TV video show police firing tear gas to break up the crowd. Chief Putney explained that officers were unable to calm the crowd and no matter what tactics they used, they continued to push through the police lines, causing them to disperse the tear gas.

The unrest comes just hours after Tulsa Police Department released footage of the shooting of Terence Crutcher, an unarmed black man who was shot and killed last week.

Featured

  • Freedom of Choice

    In today's security landscape, we are witnessing a fundamental transformation in how organizations manage digital evidence. Law enforcement agencies, campus security teams, and large facility operators face increasingly complex challenges with expanding video data, tightening budget constraints and inflexible systems that limit innovation. Read Now

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • Midtown Manhattan Shooting Kills 4, Including NYPD Officer

    Four people were killed, including a NYPD officer, in a midtown Manhattan shooting on Monday. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities