Above Photo: Richard Ellis via Getty Images.
The family of Walter Scott, a black South Carolina man shot and killed by a police officer last April, has reached a $6.5 million settlement with city officials in North Charleston, S.C.
Scott was fatally shot multiple times in the back by a white ex-police officer named Michael Slager. A video taken by a bystander shows Scott fleeing from the officer after he was pulled over, reportedly for a broken brake light. Slager was charged with murder for the case, and was denied bond last month.
The video of Scott’s death was splashed across news outlets all over the world, adding to a slew of cases of unarmed black men being killed by police officers over the past two years.
Scott’s four children will benefit from the settlement, according to CNN. Anthony Scott, Walter Scott’s brother, praised the settlement on Thursday night.
“While nothing can replace having Walter in our lives, the city of North Charleston’s historic actions ensure that he did not die in vain,” he told USA Today. “This city sent a message, loud and clear, that this kind of reckless behavior exhibited by members of law enforcement will not and shall not be tolerated.”