A state of emergency has been declared after a second night of violent protests in downtown Charlotte, N.C., following the fatal police shooting of a 43-year-old black man named Keith Lamont Scott on Tuesday afternoon. Protests first broke out in Charlotte Tuesday night after the news of Scott’s death, only hours after a peaceful demonstration in Tulsa, Okla., where police had shot and killed an unarmed black man.
In Charlotte, a peaceful prayer vigil on Wednesday turned into an angry march and then a night of violence after a protester was shot and critically wounded as people charged police in riot gear trying to protect an upscale hotel in Charlotte’s typically vibrant downtown. The protester was shot by a civilian, not a police officer, city officials said.
A protester raises her fist as she confronts police officers in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 21, 2016. Police and protesters clashed following the fatal police shooting of Keith L. Scott, a black man.Caitlin Penna—EPAA young man is attended to as he lies on the sidewalk after being shot in front of the Omni Hotel in downtown Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 21, 2016. Logan R. Cyrus—The New York Times/ReduxA woman smears blood on a police riot shield on Sept. 21, 2016 in downtown Charlotte, NC. Sean Rayford—Getty ImagesTwo women embrace while looking at a police officer in uptown Charlotte, N.C. during a protest of the police shooting of Keith Scott on Sept. 21, 2016. Jason Miczek—ReutersDebris falls upon police officers and protesters as officers began to push protesters from the intersection in Charlotte, N.C. on Sept. 21, 2016. Jeff Siner—The Charlotte Observer/APPolice clash with protesters as residents and activists protest the death of Keith Scott Sept. 21, 2016 in Charlotte, N.C.Brian Blanco—Getty ImagesA protester is taken into custody by police officers in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 21, 2016. Jeff Siner—The Charlotte Observer/APProtesters demonstrate in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 20, 2016. Jeff Siner—The Charlotte Observer/APOfficers stand in formation in front of protesters in Charlotte, N.C. on Sept. 20, 2016. Jeff Siner—The Charlotte Observer/AP
