Man shot during Charlotte protest alive, not wounded by police officer

“I want to assure the people of North Carolina that our SBI has already been assisting the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department throughout the last 24 hours.

Upon a very recent request of Chief Putney, the State Highway Patrol is sending in troopers to further help the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.

The state has many additional assets nearby to assist. 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.” 

9:50 p.m. update: Looters hit the Charlotte Hornets team store at the arena uptown, Hornets officials confirmed.

9:45 p.m. update: Mecklenburg EMS has treated three people so far tonight. The gunshot victim and two others with non-life threatening injuries.

UPDATE 9:30 p.m.: Police in riot gear are using tear gas during the violent protest.

BREAKING - 9:20 p.m.: The person shot uptown during the protests has died, CMPD Chief Kerr Putney confirmed.

BREAKING - 8:40 p.m.: At least one person shot at N College St and E Trade St, a security expert said. One person was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, MEDIC said.

The security expert, Ross Bulla, was with reporter Paul Boyd at the scene.

Bulla heard the gunshot near the Epicentre and went to perform first aid to the person, who he said was a black man.

He said the gun shot wound was very serious.

8:30 p.m.: The crowd continues to march in uptown.

8:15 p.m.: Police in riot gear confront protesters at the Epicentre.

7:45 p.m.: Demonstrators are marching throughout uptown Charlotte blocking traffic.

6:55 p.m.: Rakeyia Scott, wife of Keith Scott, issues statement:

My family is devastated by the shooting death of my husband, Keith.  

Keith was a loving husband, father, brother and friend who will be deeply missed every day. 

As a family, we respect the rights of those who wish to protest, but we ask that people protest peacefully.  Please do not hurt people or members of law enforcement, damage property or take things that do not belong to you in the name of protesting. 

After listening to remarks made by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Putney today, we have more questions than answers about Keith's death.  Rest assured, we will work diligently to get answers to our questions as quickly as possible.  

In the near future, we will offer more information about Keith and our family.   

Until then, we ask that you please respect our family's privacy as we grieve and prepare to lay Keith to rest.

6:20 p.m.:  White House official releases details of phone call between President Obama and Charlotte mayor Jennifer Roberts:

President Obama made calls to Mayor Dewey Bartlett of Tulsa and Mayor Jennifer Roberts of Charlotte Wednesday afternoon about the recent events related to the deaths of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa and Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte. Both Mayors provided the President with an update on the situation on the ground and the protests in their cities. The President expressed his condolences to both Mayors on the tragic events and affirmed the Administration's commitment to provide assistance as needed. The President and both Mayors reiterated that any protests should be conducted in a peaceful manner and that local law enforcement should find ways to calmly and productively engage those protesting. The President will continue to receive updates on the situations from Attorney General Lynch and White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett.

6 p.m.: CMPD Chief Kerr Putney reiterated Wednesday morning that Keith Scott was armed when he approached officers in University City Tuesday.

Channel 9 obtained an image from the scene of the shooting that shows a gun on the ground near Scott’s feet as officers stood around him.

Officials confirmed to Channel 9 that is the weapon they confiscated from Scott.

5:30 p.m.: More businesses are closing early. IKEA in University City announced it's closing at 6 p.m. Wednesday and will reopen 10 a.m. Thursday. The Charlotte Athletic Club closed its Trade & Tryon and Duke Energy Center locations immediately. It said members, guests and staff safety is its number one priority.

5:10 p.m.: A planned demonstration is underway at the corner of Trade and Tryon streets in uptown. Watch live from Chopper 9.

4:32 p.m.: The city of Charlotte released an official statement Wednesday:

"Yesterday’s officer-involved shooting and the ensuing events have been very difficult for our community.

It is important that we continue our tradition of working together to solve our problems thoughtfully and peacefully. We will rely on the strength of our neighborhoods, business leaders and faith communities as we heal during this difficult time."

Read the full statement here.

4 p.m.: Channel 9 has confirmed with sources that there is dash camera video that shows Keith Scott getting out a car and coming toward officers with a gun in his hands.

3:30 p.m.: Charlotte Chamber has sent out a Public Safety alert, asking businesses in Uptown and University area to collaborate with private security and CMPD, and pass along any security plans to employees and tenants.

Charlotte Chamber Safety Alert

3:15 p.m.: University City Partners has been made aware of three community services happening Wednesday night. All services are open to everyone.

2:30 p.m.: Walmart releases statement after store damaged by looters during overnight protests.

"What happened last night is disheartening. We're glad all of our associates are safe. We're continuing to work with police to follow the situation and determine when our store will reopen."

12:10 p.m.: The city of Charlotte opened a community feedback line for comments that can be reach at 704-336-8302. ​Click here to learn more.

12 p.m.: Gov. McCrory issued a statement:

"I’ve been in conversations with the mayor and other city officials since early this morning. We will do everything we can to support the mayor and the police chief in their efforts to keep the community calm and to get this situation resolved. It’s very important that we all work together as a team to solve a very difficult issue and to bring peace and resolution. My prayers are with the Scott family and also our law enforcement, especially the 16 police officers who were injured last night. As governor I’m going to do everything I can to support the entire city leadership in their effort to resolve this situation.”

11 a.m.: Civil rights activists with True Healing Under God called for an economic boycott of Charlotte, saying, "Since our black lives don't matter, our black money shouldn't matter."

9:45 a.m.: CMPD Chief Kerr Putney said at a press conference that Officer Vinson was not wearing a body camera. Only uniformed officers were wearing cameras. Putney said that the law does not let him release the body camera video but said the grieved party can have access to it.

Putney said he hopes for peaceful protests in the future and that he plans to have officers ready.

9:40: a.m.: Chief Kerr Putney said that officers seized a handgun from the scene but did not seize a book. Putney was referring to earlier reports that protesters and the family of Keith Lamont Scott, the man shot and killed by Officer Brentley Vinson, said that Scott was not armed and was instead holding a book.

9:30 a.m.: Putney said that officers gave repeated verbal commands for Scott to drop his handgun. He said Scott posed a threat to the officers.

8:45 a.m.: Charlotte mayor Jennifer Roberts and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police chief Kerr Putney will issue statements regarding the deadly officer-involved shooting at 9:30 a.m.. Channel 9 will live stream the news conference.

7:45 a.m.: Reporter Blake Hanson spoke with Deputy Chief Foster who was up all night and will be on break until noon. There might not be an update from CMPD until after that.

7:30 a.m.: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said it's not changing its bus routes after overnight protests.

7:20 a.m. Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts said on WBT Radio that investigators don't yet know all the information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting and urged people not to jump to conclusions.

Roberts said that the safety and security of the community and first responders are of the utmost importance.

"So what I'm asking the community to do is remain calm and to please let our investigation continue so we can get the facts in front of the public," Roberts said.

She will meet Wednesday morning with CMPD Chief Kerr Putney.

6 a.m.: The Walmart on North Tryon Street is closed and barricaded after looters threw rocks through the windows.

5:20 a.m.: DOT workers pulled up the last of the police line tape and cones from I-85.

5:00 a.m.: CMPD said about 16 officers were injured. One officer was hit in the face with a rock. MEDIC said seven officers and one civilian were taken to the hospital throughout the night. A dozen officers were treated at the scene.

4:45 a.m.: DOT crews are back on I-85 in University City cleaning up leftover debris from overnight.

4:30 a.m.: Hospital officials said 11 were treated with minor injuries at CMC-Main and CMC-University. About five people have been arrested, police said.

3:55 a.m.: At least seven civilians were transported to the hospital and a handful treated with no transports, all minor injuries, MEDIC says.

BREAKING UPDATE 3:45 a.m.: Dozens of protesters are breaking into the Walmart on North Tryon Street. They started running away once police and SWAT arrived.

3:15 a.m.: SWAT is moving protesters up the hill off I-85, building a line, using flash grenades.

3:10 a.m.: From Chopper 9, it appears the protesters have moved off the interstate and traffic is moving.

3 a.m.: Police are using the PA system to tell protesters they are getting ready to "forcibly remove people."

2:30 a.m.: Protesters have blocked I-85, lighting fires from boxes on looted trucks.

Reporter Joe Bruno spoke with the driver who was stuck inside her tractor-trailer as looters stole her cargo.

The woman was taking car parts to Greensboro and feared for her life.

"I understand they want to make a statement, but they are hurting innocent people trying to make a living," the woman told Bruno.

She repeatedly asked Bruno where police are while she's trapped inside as people destroy her tractor-trailer and cargo.

2:15 a.m.: Protesters are looting from a tractor-trailer stuck in traffic.

1:40 a.m.: Protesters walked onto Interstate 85 blocking both directions at Harris Boulevard.

UPDATE 1:20 a.m.: Two more civilians transported with minor injuries to CMC University, MEDIC says.

UPDATE 1:15 a.m.: Five more transported from demonstration scene. Additional treated on scene. All non-life threatening injuries, MEDIC says.

UPDATE 1:15 a.m.: Protests are happening about 1 ½ miles from UNC-Charlotte. Campus police are aware and say campus is secure at the time.

UPDATE 12:30 a.m.: TRAFFIC ALERT: W.T. Harris Boulevard at Old Concord Road shut down because of protests.

UPDATE 12:25 a.m.: CMPD tweeted, "Approximately 12 officers injured. One officer hit in face with a rock."

UPDATE 12:15 a.m.: Medical personnel are gearing up with more resources, MEDIC tweeted.

TUESDAY

UPDATE 11:50 p.m.: Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts tweeted: "I will continue to work with our manager & Chief on officer involved shooting. We are reaching out to community to ask for calm

The community deserves answers and full investigation will ensue. Will be reaching out to community leaders to work together”

UPDATE 11:40 p.m.: CMPD tweeted "several officers injured tonight working to protect our community during demonstration."

UPDATE: 11:15 p.m.: One protester was treated for minor injuries

UPDATE: 11 p.m.: Officers deploy tear gas into crowd and protesters targeted police cruisers. One was towed away.

UPDATE 10:50 p.m.: A CMPD officer has sustained non life-threatening injuries in an attempt to deescalate agitators during demonstration, CMPD tweeted.

UPDATE: 10:15 p.m. Chopper 9 arrived over the protest.

UPDATE 10 p.m.: The member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department that was involved in the shooting has been identified as Officer Brentley Vinson, police said.

As is standard procedure with any officer involved shooting, Vinson has been placed on paid administrative leave, police said in a news release.  Vinson has been employed with the CMPD since July 21, 2014 and is currently assigned to the Metro Division.

The deceased man has been identified as Keith Lamont Scott. His family has been notified of his death.

UPDATE 9 p.m.: Protesters continue to block Old Concord Road. Police in riot gear are on the scene on standby as a group of protesters continue chanting and block a police cruiser from moving.

UPDATE 8 p.m.: A large crowd gathered Tuesday night after police said an officer shot an armed man in northeast Charlotte.

The protesters blocked off the road at about 8 p.m.

The officer involved in the deadly shooting is African-American, as well as the man who was shot and killed, a police source said.

1 dead in officer-involved shooting in northeast Charlotte, CMPD says

Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department are conducting an investigation of the officer-involved shooting that occurred in the 9600 block of Old Concord Road in the University City Division.

Officers were at The Village at College Downs Tuesday at about 4 p.m., searching for a suspect who had an outstanding warrant, Police Department officials said in a press release.

Officers saw a vehicle in the apartment complex. 
 
A man, not the suspect police were searching for, exited the vehicle armed with a hand gun and got back into the vehicle. Officers then approached the man. The man got back out of the vehicle armed with the hand gun and officers told him repeatedly to drop the weapon. Officials said the man posed an imminent deadly threat to the officers, who shot the man, CMPD said.

The officers immediately requested medical help and began performing CPR, police said.
 
The man was taken to Carolinas Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. 
 
The identity of the dead man and the officer involved will be released pending family notification.

Detectives recovered the firearm the man had been holding at the time of the shooting at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

Family members of the man shot to death said he did not have a gun, but instead had a book in his hand and was waiting for his son to be dropped off from school.

The community later gathered in the streets chanting, "Hands up, don't shoot."