A protester is in critical condition after being shot during another night of violent protests in Charlotte, North Carolina, over the fatal police shooting of a black man, Keith Lamont Scott.
The city of Charlotte initially reported in a tweet that the protester was fatally shot, but the individual is in critical condition. The protester was reportedly shot by another civilian, according to CNN and NBC News.
CORRECTION UPDATE: Civilian who suffered gunshot wound during protests is on life support, critical condition. Not deceased.
— City of Charlotte (@CLTgov) September 22, 2016
For the second night in the row, protesters gathered in Charlotte, outraged over the police shooting of Scott. Police say that Scott was armed with a handgun and that he was given warnings to drop his weapon before he was shot by police. Scott’s family has said that he was unarmed and holding a book.
The protests were peaceful when they began, but turned violent after 8 p.m. as protesters marched to downtown Charlotte. Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas into the crowd, and protesters threw bottles and rocks, according to ABC News. Protesters smashed windows of cars and local businesses and some looting occurred, according to reports by CNN, ABC News, and Charlotte television station WSOC.
Many business off Brevard have smashed windows, including United Way. People used rocks & bottles. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/JwUhEs6sUW
— Gina Esposito (@GinaWSOC9) September 22, 2016
This is just a snapshot of the damage along E. Trade in Uptown. The Hornets Fan Shop is one of many businesses ransacked and looted. @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/kzjdTk4G0o
— Mark Barber (@MBarberWSOC9) September 22, 2016
At one point, a protester knocked over a CNN reporter. CNN’s Ed Lavandara said that the protester later apologized for knocking him to the ground.
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) declared a state of emergency on Wednesday night and called in the National Guard.
“Upon a recent request of Chief Putney, the National Guard and State Highway Patrol are sending in resources to further help the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department,” McCrory said in a statement. “Any violence directed toward our citizens or police officers or destruction of property should not be tolerated. I support and commend the law enforcement officials for their bravery and courage during this difficult situation.”
