America
Police officer sacked for killing black man
Washington, April 9
The police officer who was
caught on video shooting dead a fleeing black suspect in North
Charleston in the US state of South Carolina was sacked after being
charged with murder.
Speaking at a news conference that was
constantly interrupted by protesters, North Charleston Mayor Keith
Summey called the shooting a tragedy for both families, the white
officer's and the black man's, Xinhua reported.
"This has been a
horrible tragedy within our community," Summey said after meeting
Wednesday morning with the family of Walter Scott, who was shot by
Michael Thomas Slager.
Two families have been harmed by what has
occurred, he noted, adding that the city has also ordered additional
body cameras to be worn by all officers.
During the conference,
North Charleston's police chief Eddie Driggers told reporters that he
had watched the video of the shooting, saying "I was sickened by what I
saw."
Outside the City Hall, protesters chanted "No Justice,
No Peace", a familiar slogan during demonstrations last year across the
country against the overuse of police force, particularly when
confronting African Americans.
The South Carolina Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation opened an investigation into the case.