S.C. shooting victim's passenger: He 'didn't deserve to die'
Pierre Fulton was in Walter Scott's car when a routine traffic stop in North Charleston, S.C., devolved into tragedy 10 days ago.
Scott, 50, jumped from his vehicle and fled. Moments later, Scott was dead, shot several times in the back by police officer Michael Slager. Fulton is among the friends and family mourning Scott. Slager was fired and faces a murder charge.
Fulton had declined to discuss the case publicly until releasing a statement Monday night. Fulton said he still doesn't know why Scott ran.
"Walter was a dear friend and I miss him every day," Fulton said in the statement released by lawyer Mark Peper. "Over the past five years he helped me become a better man and showed me the value of hard work.
"I'll never know why he ran, but I know he didn't deserve to die. Please keep Walter and his family in your prayers and respect my privacy moving forward."
Cellphone video of the shooting went viral, and Slager was charged three days later. North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey and Police Chief Eddie Driggers were quick to condemn Slager. Local NAACP president Dot Scott said she appreciated the quick action that resulted in Slager's arrest. On Sunday, Al Sharpton spoke at a healing service.
Scott had a history of several arrests, most for failure to pay child support. He was the father of four and recently had become engaged to his longtime girlfriend.
Fulton was interviewed by officers at the scene of the shooting. Later he met with State Law Enforcement Division agents investigating the shooting.
"We hope this statement is sufficient enough to allow him to continue the healing process in a private manner," Peper says in the release.