Protesters demand answers after video shows police officer shooting S.C. man in the back

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• GWEN IFILL:

  Now the police shooting in South Carolina that made national headlines today.

  Americans everywhere watched video of a white officer killing a black suspect in the city of North Charleston.

  If you haven't seen it yet, a warning: The images are disturbing.

  The chilling footage, from a bystander, captured Saturday's fatal confrontation. Patrolman Michael Slager fired eight times as 50-year-old Walter Scott ran away. Slager later claimed Scott had grabbed for his Taser during a traffic stop. But after the shooting, the officer walked over and handcuffed Scott's motionless form. Then he walked back to where he'd opened fire, picked up a black object, apparently the Taser, returned to where Scott lay, and dropped the object there.

  The initial police statement relied on Slager's account. But once the video surfaced, he was charged with murder and fired from the force.

  Police Chief Eddie Driggers spoke at a briefing today.

• EDDIE DRIGGERS, North Charleston, South Carolina, Police Chief:

  I have watched the video. And I was sickened by what I saw. And I have not watched it since.

• GWEN IFILL:

  Scott's mother also spoke on ABC's "Good Morning America."

  JUDY SCOTT, Mother of Victim: When I looked at that tape, that was the most horrible thing I have ever seen. To see my son running defenselessly, being shot, it just tore my heart to pieces. And I pray that this never happens to another person. This has got to stop.

• MAN:

  This is what democracy looks like.

• GWEN IFILL:

  That same demand was echoed by protesters outside city hall.

• MAN:

  A police culture has existed for a long time in which an officer can feel comfortable, can feel comfortable shooting somebody eight times in the back.

• GWEN IFILL:

  Mayor Keith Summey struggled to be heard at today's briefing, as protesters repeatedly demanded more answers. The mayor said he could not answer most of the questions because state investigators have taken over the case.

  The FBI and the Justice Department are also investigating for possible civil rights violations.