North Charleston Reaches $6.5-Million Settlement With Walter Scott’s Family

The settlement was reached even as criminal charges against North Charleston Officer Michael Slager are still pending.

North Charleston, South Carolina, has agreed to a $6.5-million settlement with the family of Walter Scott, the unarmed black man who was shot in the back while running away from an officer.

The settlement was approved unanimously during the city’s council meeting Thursday evening.

City Council votes to approve $6.5 million settlement with #walterscott family. https://t.co/k60Ru18A4m
— North Charleston (@NorthCharleston)

“I’m glad the city and the family were able to reach a settlement without the necessity of a lawsuit,” Mayor R. Keith Summey said moments after the agreement was approved.

Summey said city officials have been in constant contact with Scott’s family, and have taken multiple “positive” steps since the shooting on April 4, such as deploying officer body cameras and having the department build a stronger relationship with the community.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/salvadorhernandez/north-charleston-reaches-65-million-settlement-with-walter-s#.kn5LYLRdJ