Walter Scott’s family settles with city for $6.5m

The family of Walter Scott has agreed to a settlement with the city of North Charleston in the amount of $6.5 million.

Walter Scott, 50, was shot in April by North Charleston officer Michael Slager as he tried to flee on foot after a traffic stop. An immigrant filmed the encounter which showed Slager shooting Scott in the back as the man fled. Slager who was arrested after being indicted was denied bond as the judge stated releasing him would “constitute an unreasonable danger to the community”.

Slager claimed that Scott has attempted to take his weapon and a second officer filed a false report backing up Slager’s account, but the video proved both were lying about what had occurred. The officer who also witnessed Slager planting a taser on Scott’s lifeless body was not charged for filing a false report or for being an accessory in the attempted cover-up of the murder.

The North Charleston City Council unanimously approved the settlement on Thursday.