The lone witness who filmed the shooting death of an unarmed black man by a South Carolina police officer has come forward.
Feidin Santana, whose video made international headlines, spoke publicly about the incident for the first time with NBC News. Mr. Santana’s video shows former Officer Michael Slager, 33, shooting Walter Scott in the back as he attempts to flee. Santana says he only came forward when the police officer’s version of events appeared in the media.
According to Slager, Mr. Scott had seized control of his Taser. The video shows a much different account.
“I remember the police [officer] had control of the situation. He had control of Scott. And Scott was trying to just get away from the Taser,” Santana told NBC. “I heard the sound of the Taser -Scott had been Tased before I started recording.”
Lawyers say Mr. Santana’s eyewitness evidence will be key to the prosecution of Officer Slager. Slager was fired from the North Charleston police force on Wednesday. He has also been charged with first-degree murder.
