Protests erupt after cop cleared in Keith Lamont Scott shooting

On Wednesday, it was announced that the Charlotte police officer who killed Keith Lamont Scott would not face charges of murder, and the decision prompted protests across the North Carolina city.

Brentley Vinson was cleared of wrongdoing after prosecutors produced video evidence that they said showed that Scott was armed at the time of his confrontation with police, which they claimed meant the shooting was justified. Scott’s death was ruled a homicide, but the district attorney said that there was not enough evidence for a murder charge.

After the announcement, around 100 protesters marched through the streets, with banners that read, “How to get away with murder: become a cop.”

“Dirty racist a** cops we don’t need ’em, need ’em. Back up, back up, we want freedom, freedom,” other protesters chanted outside the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.

As for the police department itself, they tweeted out the following message concerning the protests: “We support right to lawful protest; we ask those involved to simply obey the laws.”

Four people were arrested during the protests. Three were arrested for obstructing traffic, while the fourth was arrested for disorderly conduct. One protester attempted to remove the flag from the police department but was prevented from doing so.