SOUTH CAROLINA
A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging former North Charleston, South Carolina, police officer Michael Slager with federal offenses in connection with the fatal shooting of Walter Scott on April 4, 2015, officials announced today.
The indictment includes charges for a federal civil rights offense, using a firearm during the commission of the civil rights offense and obstruction of justice.
The indictment alleges that Michael Slager, while acting as an officer, used excessive force when he shot and killed Walter Scott without legal justification. Slager was also charged with obstruction of justice for making false statements to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division or SLED investigators with the intent to impede the investigation into the shooting.
The indictment alleges that Slager intentionally misled SLED investigators by claiming that Scott was coming toward him with a taser at the time that Slager fired his weapon, when in truth, Scott was running away.
To read the indictment click here: Michael Slager Indictment
Slager is scheduled to be in court today. If convicted, Slager faces up to life in prison for the civil rights violation.