US police officer ‘acted lawfully’ in fatal shooting of Charlotte man

A US police officer has been cleared of charges in relation to the fatal shooting of a black man in North Carolina that sparked days of unrest.

Keith Lamont Scott, 43, was shot and killed by Brentley Vinson in September, with body camera footage showing the moment officers surrounded his car with guns drawn.

District Attorney R. Andrew Murray said Officer Vinson was justified in using deadly force against Mr Scott, the New York Times reports.

He added the police officer feared for his life and those of his fellow officers.

“Officer Vinson acted lawfully when he shot Mr Scott,” Mr Murray said.

“All of the credible and available evidence suggested that he was armed.”

Mr Murray said Mr Scott had a .380 semiautomatic handgun with a round of ammunition in the chamber, despite claims he was not carrying a gun.

The shooting led to days of violent protests in Charlotte, with local authorities imposing a curfew and the National Guard deployed to the city.