Charlotte protests: Family dispute police version of events after seeing video of fatal shooting

Police claimed 43-year-old Keith Lamont Scott was threatening them with a gun

Members of Keith Lamont Scott's family gather outside the Mecklenburg County Courthouse (EPA)

Relatives of the man shot dead by police in North Carolina have disputed claims that he represented a threat to officers, after they were shown videos of the moment he was killed.

Family members of Keith Lamont Scott have watched the two videos of his shooting by a police officer, after they requested officials in the city of Charlotte to let them see them.

Charlotte Police Chief Kerr Putney said earlier on Thursday he woud not make public the body and dashboard camera video while the criminal investigation into Tuesday’s shooting continues. He agreed, however, to show it to the family.

Yet relatives of the 43-year-old, who was fatally shot by a black police officer on Tuesday afternoon and whose death has sparked two nights of violent protests in Charlotte, said the video should be make public.

In a statement, family lawyer Justin Bamberg said though the videos were difficult to watch, their release would serve transparency and the greater public good.

In the video, Mr Scott can be seen exiting his vehicle in a calm manner, and he did not aggressively approach police, the family said.

Friends set up a memorial at the spot where police shot and killed Keith Lamont Scott (Andrew Buncombe ) (Andrew Buncombe)

“It is impossible to discern from the videos what, if anything, Mr. Scott is holding in his hands,” Mr Bamberg said. “When he was shot and killed, Mr. Scott’s hands were by his side and he was slowly walking backwards.”

The family said they will continue their own investigation into Scott’s death.

“For those who wish to protest, we urge you to do so peacefully,” the family said in a statement.

Meanwhile, on Thursday evening, around 100 protesters gathered at a park in central Charlotte, launching a third night of demonstrations over the fatal shooting of Mr Scott. Mr Scott’s family said he was sitting in his car reading a book and waiting for his daughter to get off a school bus, when he was approached and shot by police.

The Associated Press said that as daylight began go fade, the protesters formed a circle and chanted several slogans, including “We believe that we will win”. Some of them wrapped bandanas around their faces to protect themselves from tear gas.

About 50 feet away, about a dozen Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers sat on bicycles observing the protesters.

Camouflage Humvees carrying National Guard members were patrolling downtown interspersed with civilian vehicles. Guard members with fatigues and rifles walked through a plaza near the headquarters of Bank of America.