The question is simple: Can a police officer legally shoot a fleeing suspect in the back?
Many are asking that question after seeing a shocking video of a White police officer in North Charleston, S.C., shooting and killing an unarmed Black man as he ran away from the officer.
While the answer is not a simple yes or no and largely depends on the circumstances, many legal experts looking at the shooting in South Carolina believe it was not justified.
Walter Scott, 50, was shot in the back. The North Charleston, S.C., police officer, Michael T. Slager, 33, who now faces murder charges and was fired last Wednesday, is shown in the video firing eight times as Scott appears to be several feet away and fleeing. The officer said Scott took his Taser stun gun, but Scott appeared to have nothing in his hands as he fled.
The shooting occurred after Scott ran following a traffic stop for a broken taillight.