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Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

Body camera use questioned in fatal shootings in Charlotte

Police officers stand outside Bank of America Stadium for an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Extra security was posted outside the stadium in response to protests over the shooting death of a black man by a police officer on Sept. 20. (AP Photo/Skip Foreman)
Police officers stand outside Bank of America Stadium for an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Extra security was posted outside the stadium in response to protests over the shooting death of a black man by a police officer on Sept. 20. (AP Photo/Skip Foreman)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The fatal shooting of a black man by a police officer in Charlotte is only the latest shooting to raise questions about how the department uses body cameras.

Six people were fatally shot since body cameras were given to all patrol officers about a year ago. But the officers who fired the fatal shots in five of those cases – including Keith Lamont Scott’s – weren’t using the cameras.

The weekend release of police footage showing the shooting of Scott did little to ease some residents’ concerns about its handling. More than 100 people jammed City Council chambers Monday night to voice their frustrations, calling for Mayor Jennifer Roberts and Police Chief Kerr Putney to resign.

“We have no reason to trust you, and you’re giving us even less,” Khasha Harris said at the forum. “Deep down somewhere, your conscience has to be bothering you.”

The Rev. Milton Williams, the last speaker of nearly 50 at the meeting, blamed police for actions that led to unrest over two nights