Video footage doesn’t show whether Scott had a gun

The family of Keith Lamont Scott and its attorney has viewed police footage of the shooting of Mr. Scott. The family attorney and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police chief agree that one cannot tell from the video whether or not Scott was carrying a gun.

The attorney, Justin Bamberg, said it was impossible to see whether Scott was holding a weapon, or anything else, in his hands. The police chief, Kerr Putney, said the videos do not “give me absolute, definitive visual evidence that will confirm a person was pointing a gun; I did not see that in the video.”

Putney said, however, that the “totality” of the evidence supports the police conclusion that officers confronting Scott faced an imminent, deadly threat. Presumably, the evidence includes statements from officers at the scene. I assume it also includes the gun Putney has said was found at the scene of the shooting.

The Daily Wire offers a photo of what, reportedly, is that gun. The photo is suggestive. However, with the video evidence inconclusive, I don’t think we can say at this point with complete confidence that Mr. Scott was holding a gun when he was shot.

Investigations, including by the state, reportedly are ongoing. It’s unlikely that the video will be released to the public until the investigations have been completed. The police should be commended, though, for showing it to the family.

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