Unarmed black pastor shot dead by US police

US police have tasered and shot dead an unarmed black pastor as he stood with his hands raised above his head.

Terence Crutcher, 40, a pastor from Tulsa, Oklahoma was killed by police officer Betty Shelby on Friday evening.

Vision taken from a police helicopter shows Crutcher walking back to his vehicle and leaning on it with his hands on his head, when he is tasered by officer Tyler Turnbough and shot by Shelby before collapsing onto the road.

"He’s got his hands up there for her now," an officer aboard the helicopter identified as Shelby’s husband, Dave Shelby, said.

"Time for a Taser, I think," a second officer in the helicopter says.

"That looks like a bad dude, too."

Moments later Crutcher was shot and could be seen lying on the road covered in blood.

Tulsa’s police chief, Chuck Jordan told local media during a press conference on Monday that the 40-year-old was unarmed and did not have a weapon in his vehicle.

Shelby’s lawyer, Scott Wood, said his client thought Crutcher had a weapon and had allegedly acted erratically and refused to comply with orders.

Shelby had encountered Crutcher while on route to another call and requested backup.

Turnbough responded to the request. His dash cam also recorded the shooting.

The victim's family have called for a thorough investigation into the incident and have urged black lives matter protestors to remain peaceful.

US police have come under increased scrutiny over a rising number of incidents involving black unarmed Americans being shot by law enforcement officials.

Earlier this year Philando Castile was shot multiple times through his driver's side window while his child was sat in the back seat.

"This is an issue that seems to be an epidemic happening all around America. What are we as an American society going to do about it?" Benjamin L. Crump, a lawyer for the family told the NY Times.

Shelby is on paid administrative leave following a complete investigation.