The City of Charlotte is declining to settle with the family of Keith Lamont Scott, who was fatally shot by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer in 2016, according to the lawyer who represents the family.
Scott’s death spurred days of protests and riots in Charlotte.
Justin Bamberg, who represents Scott’s family, says the city is refusing to make any settlement offer.
“At this point, we extended an opportunity to try and resolve this without the need for litigation,” Bamberg said. “We saw it to be in the best interest of all. It would close a painful chapter in the history of Charlotte. Not only have they not accepted an offer, the city has not made any offer at all.”
Bamberg said the family has tried to be patient and is now preparing to file a lawsuit.
“We have been extremely amicable in attempting to resolve this,” he said. “The city has had ample time to make that happen.”
On September 20, 2016, Scott, a black man, was shot and killed by a CMPD Officer Brentley Vinson, also a black man. Vinson and other officers surrounded Scott after they said they saw him with marijuana and a gun inside his vehicle. Vinson said he feared for his life after Scott emerged from his vehicle outside a University City apartment complex.before shooting him as Scott's wife watched and recorded the incident on tape. CMPD officials later ruled the shooting was justified but the Charlotte Citizens Review Board was split 4-4 on whether CMPD erred in ruling that the shooting was lawful.
