This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/south-carolina-police-have-shot-209-people-in-the-last-five-years-report-finds-10165979.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
South Carolina police have shot 209 people in the last five years, report finds South Carolina police have shot 209 people in the last five years, report finds
(about 17 hours later)
A South Carolina police officer was charged with murder this week after a video surfaced of the officer firing eight shots at a fleeing black man named Walter Scott, who died. The murder charge was widely cheered by citizens and activists.A South Carolina police officer was charged with murder this week after a video surfaced of the officer firing eight shots at a fleeing black man named Walter Scott, who died. The murder charge was widely cheered by citizens and activists.
Now it’s becoming clear why.Now it’s becoming clear why.
While police-involved shootings are far from rare in South Carolina – 209 in the past five years, according to The State newspaper – the police involved in the shootings almost never get prosecuted.While police-involved shootings are far from rare in South Carolina – 209 in the past five years, according to The State newspaper – the police involved in the shootings almost never get prosecuted.
Of the 209 people who were fired at by police in South Carolina in the last five years, 79 were killed -- or 37.8 per cent. The State could only find three police officers who were charged with a crime in any of the shootings -- or 1.4 per cent. Of the 209 people who were fired at by police in South Carolina in the last five years, 79 were killed -- or 37.8 per cent. The State could only find three police officers who were charged with a crime in any of the shootings -- or 1.4 per cent. Not a single police officer in South Carolina has been convicted, The State reported. The above figures do not include the shooting death of Mr Scott.
Not a single police officer in South Carolina has been convicted, The State reported. The above figures do not include the shooting death of Mr Scott.
Michael Slager, the North Charleston police officer who has been charged with murder, appeared likely to avoid prosecution too, after he shot Mr Scott on Saturday. Mr Slager claimed that he had fired his weapon after a confrontation in which Mr Scott grabbed the officer’s taser and authorities initially sided with their man.Michael Slager, the North Charleston police officer who has been charged with murder, appeared likely to avoid prosecution too, after he shot Mr Scott on Saturday. Mr Slager claimed that he had fired his weapon after a confrontation in which Mr Scott grabbed the officer’s taser and authorities initially sided with their man.
Then the video was released and showed that Mr Scott did not have the taser when he was shot. The witness who took the video disputes the claim that Mr Scott ever grabbed the taser.Then the video was released and showed that Mr Scott did not have the taser when he was shot. The witness who took the video disputes the claim that Mr Scott ever grabbed the taser.
Once the video surfaced, authorities had little choice but to charge Mr Slager with murder. He is being held without bond and has been fired from the police force.Once the video surfaced, authorities had little choice but to charge Mr Slager with murder. He is being held without bond and has been fired from the police force.
  
Follow @PaytonGuion on Twitter.Follow @PaytonGuion on Twitter.