A former North Charleston, S.C. police officer charged with shooting an unarmed black man was formerly a resident of Mt. Laurel and employed in Voorhees as a young man.
Michael Slager, 33, was charged with murder after a video was released showing Slager repeatedly shot 50-year-old Walter L. Scott in the back following a routine traffic stop on April 4.
Slager allegedly pulled Scott over on April 4 for a broken taillight. During the traffic stop, Slager said Scott had reached for Slager’s stun gun and that he felt threatened. Video from the incident showed a black object falling to the ground and Scott running from the officer. Slager fired eight shots at Scott. Five of the shots hit Scott in the back, killing him.
According to public records, Slager was formerly a resident of Mt. Laurel. His job application with the North Charleston Police Department confirmed he was a graduate of Lenape High School and worked at Ventura’s restaurant in Voorhees. In 2003, he left New Jersey to join the United States Coast Guard in Florida. He had worked with the North Charleston Police Department for five years.
The North Charleston Police Department has fired Slager. He was charged with murder and denied bail. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the incident.
