MURDER CHARGE: Filed Against South Carolina Cop in Black Man's Death

A video showing a white police officer shooting an unarmed black man in the back while he's running away led to murder charges filed against the officer in North Charleston, South Carolina on Tuesday.

The police officer, 33-year-old Michael T. Slager claimed the man grabbed his stun gun in a fight after a traffic stop on Saturday and he feared for his life. However, the video shows a different story. It captures Slager firing his weapon eight times at the back of 50-year-old Walter L. Scott as he runs away.

The charges were announced Tuesday evening at a press conference by the mayor of North Charleston.

This incident comes after three high-profile incidents involving the use of lethal force by police on unarmed black men in New York City, Cleveland and Ferguson, Missouri. However, in all of those incidents, no charges were filed against the police, prompting protests and debates over the use of lethal force. (The New York Times)

Say What:

It's pretty clear in the video that the victim was running away and was not a threat to the officer when he unloaded his weapon in his back.

It would be nice if police weren't armed with guns, but then they wouldn't stand a chance against some criminals.

Cell phone video and body cameras should curb such future abuses by police. They know they're being watched.

photo via nbcnews