Sen. Tim Scott: Killing of Walter Scott ‘Unnecessary and Avoidable’
Published at
US Senate(WASHINGTON) — Sen. Tim Scott, who is one of two African-Americans currently serving in the U.S. Senate, expressed his concern Wednesday over the “horrific video” and “unnecessary and avoidable” killing of Walter Scott, an unarmed South Carolina man who was fatally shot by a police officer last week.
“The horrific video that came to light yesterday is deeply troubling,” Tim Scott, R-S.C., said in a statement. “It is clear the killing of Walter Scott was unnecessary and avoidable, and my prayers are with the Scott family as they go through the ordeal.”
North Charleston officer Michael Slager was charged Tuesday with murdering Walter Scott, 50, who died shortly after the Saturday morning incident. The shooting was captured on video by an unidentified witness, the footage of which surfaced on Tuesday.
Sen. Scott urged people to be peaceful in any protests they take part in on Wednesday.
“With several protests planned today, I join community leaders in North Charleston in calling for peace,” he said. “I understand the hurt, the frustration and the anger many are feeling today. But violence solves nothing.”
Read Scott’s full statement below:
The horrific video that came to light yesterday is deeply troubling. It is clear the killing of Walter Scott was unnecessary and avoidable, and my prayers are with the Scott family as they go through this ordeal. The swift action taken by SLED and the relevant authorities upon receiving the video shows the severity of this terrible event.
With several protests planned today, I join community leaders in North Charleston in calling for peace. I understand the hurt, the frustration and the anger many are feeling today. But violence solves nothing.
We must come together as a community, as a state, and as a nation in working to bring our communities together and rebuild trust.
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.