Other officers' conduct under scrutiny in S.C. shooting
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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. -- As a now-fired North Charleston police officer sits behind bars, facing murder charges for shooting a fleeing suspect in the back, South Carolina law enforcement officials told CBS News the conduct of other police personnel is also being investigated.
A cell phone video of the shooting surfaced Tuesday. It shows Michael Slager, who is white, firing his gun eight times at Walter Scott, a black man, as Scott ran away.
Slager claimed the shooting was in self-defense and that Scott, whom he had pulled over for a broken tail light, tried to grab his stun gun.
Slager was charged with murder Tuesday. North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey announced Wednesday that Slager had been fired.
An incident report obtained by CBS News said up to seven other police officers arrived at the scene within minutes of Saturday's shooting, beginning about 9:30 a.m.
A law enforcement source close to the investigation told CBS News, "We are interviewing everyone at the scene including all of the officers."
On the video, only one other police officer can be seen, identified in the incident report as Officer Clarence Habersham. In the report, Habersham did not describe Slager's actions, but said that he gave aid to Scott and tried to give directions to the scene.
There is no evidence on the video that Habersham, or anyone else, administered CPR to Scott.
Summey told demonstrators on Wednesday that he did not know if the other officers will be disciplined. Police Chief Eddie Driggers declined to answer any questions about them, citing the ongoing investigation being conducted by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
An autopsy performed Sunday by the Charleston County Coroner's Office determined Scott died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds to the back, CBS affiliate WCSC reported. His death was ruled a homicide, according to coroner Rae Wooten.
Scott's family said his funeral will be held on Saturday in Summerville, S.C.
"I thought that my brother was gunned down like an animal," Anthony Scott, the victim's brother, said. "It was just unbelievable to me to see that."
Meanwhile, state prosecutors announced they will pursue an indictment against Slager. Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said she will be working with SLED on the case, WCSC reported.
In a statement, Wilson said she had met face-to-face with Scott's family and spoken with their attorneys regularly over the past few days.
"This is a very difficult time for them, but they have acted and reacted with dignity and grace," Wilson said."We are grateful for their patience, understanding and cooperation with us.
Slager is being held without bail. If convicted, the five-year police veteran could face the death penalty. WCSC reported that attorney Andy Savage will represent Slager, after the former officer's first lawyer dropped him.
"As we focus in on the facts, we will probably have more to say, but it is far too early for us to be saying what we think," Savage said in a statement. "Slager's previous counsel fell into that trap and we have no intention of doing our client further harm."