Walter Scott's Music Analysis

1. When watching the dash cam footage of the stop that led to the shooting of Walter Scott, one initial reaction of the viewer might be that the officer should turn his radio down when stopping cars. His lights prompted the beginning of the video. Even prior to turning on his lights, when he notified dispatch that he was stopping the car, the officer’s mind needs to be completely focused on the task at hand. The playing of the radio in the background gives the officer’s behavior an air of unprofessionalism. The music also makes it difficult to understand the interaction between the Scott and Slager. The content of the music and lyrics of the song add another level of irony to the incident, especially the words of the song that play as

The shooting was not justified. Officer Slager was not facing imminent harm as a result of Scott’s attempt to flee, and no other individuals were in danger. Slager had a right to attempt to apprehend Scott, but deadly force was not necessary. Former common law might have allowed the shooting under what was called the “fleeing felon rule,” where deadly force could be used when the suspect of a felony is in clear flight. However, this rule was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in Tennessee v. Garner in 1986 (Simon). The police chief, Eddie Driggers is obviously distraught by the events that took place. He is careful to separate the department and their intentions from the behavior of Officer Stager (Burnett). Chief Driggers expresses that their obligation lies with upholding the law and the findings of the investigation that has taken place. He is straightforward about previous complaints involving Officer Stager (Burnett). One aspect that Chief Driggers could have handled differently is the question of racial motivations, as one can see from the video that a white officer and black suspect was involved. This detail is one that the media has seemed to use in the past to infuriate the general public, and the Chief did not need to make any comment that might have supported (even indirectly) a potential link between the shootings and

It cannot be said with any level of certainty that race played (or didn’t play) a role in the stop and shooting. Officer Sager had a justification for the stop, and the inconsistent answers provided by Scott rightfully raised suspicion. When a suspect runs, it is instinctual that the officer will chase him. The pulling of a gun and shooting of the suspect is where the officer’s actions were outright wrong, but it is not more wrong because of the race of the individuals involved. Only Officer Sager knows whether or not Scott’s race was a factor in the stop and shooting. The role of race has taken its place in the societal tension and outrage caused by the shooting. One coworker of Slanger’s has come forward and expressed that there have been issues with race in the department and with Slager personally (Lee). Slanger’s actions in the stop and shooting will be viewed in the context of race no matter what influence it had during the