Questions swirl after Black man is killed by North Carolina police officer after traffic stop

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Officials in North Carolina are investigating a shooting involving a white officer and a black motorist who police say stepped out of his vehicle with a gun during a traffic stop on Sunday.

Washington, N.C., police said the driver Cedric Pritchard exited the car he was driving with a weapon and was killed by the officer, whose name has not been released.

“It is with great sadness that we are investigating an officer-involved shooting in our City,” said Stacy Drakeford, director of Washington police and fire services said in a statement. “Today, a citizen of our community has lost his life, a family is grieving for their family member, and our law enforcement agency is saddened by these events. We ask that the community joins us as our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragic incident.”

Drakeford did not respond to an e-mail from a reporter asking if Pritchard had made any gestures that warranted lethal response, according to Yahoo News. Bodycam footage has been turned over to investigators.

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While it was confirmed that the officer is white, no further details were given about what occurred after Pritchard exited his vehicle.

“I’m looking for him coming through the door anytime and I won’t see him. That’s going to be hurtful,” his mother, Teresa Pritchard, old WITN-TV in Greenville.

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Natasha Knight told news station told WNCT-TV in Greenville that she ran out of her home when she heard the gunshots and was distraught when she found out who had been killed.

“I think all of our eyes filled with water,” Knight said.

The case is currently being investigated by The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave.

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