Newly released audio reveals what South Carolina officer Michael Slager told his colleagues moments after shooting an unarmed black man to death.
In the nearly 12-minute recording released to The Huffington Post by the State Law Enforcement Division, the 33-year-old officer sounds out of breath as he radios dispatchers to request assistance after killing 50-year-old Walter Scott.
"Shots fired, subject is down," Slager says. "He grabbed my Taser."
Slager's version of events may have become the narrative had it not been for damning video released Tuesday, which shows the officer fire at Scott eight times as the man attempts to run away.
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO
The video appears to show Slager drop an item -- possibly his Taser -- next to Scott's body after the shooting.
"Everyone’s 10-4, except for the suspect," Slager says in the audio. "Gunshot wound to the chest, to the right side. Unresponsive."
The video clearly shows Scott was shot in the back. This was confirmed Sunday by Charleston County Coroner Rae Wooten, who ruled the death a homicide. Slager has been charged with murder.
Later in the audio, a voice can be heard saying chest compressions are being initiated on Scott, who died at the scene while handcuffed.
On Wednesday, as demonstrators rallied against police brutality, Mayor Keith Summey announced that the city would supply more than 200 body cameras for the police force -- enough for every patrol officer in North Charleston.
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