North Charleston to Pay $6.5 Million for Killing Walter Scott

By Kenrya Rankin Oct 09, 2015

Six months after North Charleston, South Carolina, police officer Michael Slager shot and killed Walter Scott, an unarmed black man on April 4, 2015, the city has agreed to pay his family $6.5 million. The family had not yet filed a lawsuit against the city.

The city council unanimously approved the settlement, which comes after the nation watched video captured by a bystander that shows Slager fire his weapon eight times at Scott’s back as he ran from a traffic stop, then plant his Taser near the man’s body to support his story that Scott attempted to take his weapon. The family’s attorney says this is the largest settlement for a similar case in the state’s history.

“While nothing can replace having Walter in our lives, the City of North Charleston’s historic action ensures that he did not die in vain,” Scott’s brother Anthony said at the council meeting. “It was a bittersweet victory. The family still wants justice for my brother and this was a step in the right direction.” He also noted that the money would help to support Scott’s children, and that they would be donating some of it to help victims of the recent floods in their state. 

Slager, who is white, was arrested on murder charges and is being kept in solitary confinement after a judge ruled he was “an unreasonable danger to the community.” He has also been fired from the department and faces 30 years to life in prison if convicted.

(H/t Associated Press)