A police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black motorist in Tulsa, Oklahoma last week has been charged with manslaughter.
District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler has filed first-degree manslaughter charges against Officer Betty Shelby.
A screengrab from a video released by Tulsa police that showed the fatal shooting of Terence Crutcher as he stood next to his broken-down car. Photo: AFP
Ms Shelby shot and killed Terence Crutcher, 40, last week while he was standing next to his broken-down car.
She claimed Mr Crutcher did not follow her commands and she opened fire when he began to reach into his car window.
Mr Crutcher was also struck with a stun gun by another officer, Tyler Turnbough, police said.
But aerial and dashcam police footage showed Mr Crutcher walking away from Officer Shelby with his arms in the air before leaning on his vehicle.
It is unclear in the footage whether Mr Crutcher drops his hands at any point.
Mr Crutcher's family has also disputed Ms Shelby's claim, arguing that his window was closed at the time of the incident.
The family held a news conference on Tuesday showing an enlarged photo appearing to show the SUV window rolled up.
Police have said no gun was found on Mr Crutcher or inside his vehicle.
"Although she is charged, she is presumed innocent until a judge or jury determines otherwise," Mr Kunzweiler said in announcing the charges. "I don't know why things happen in this world the way they do."
Mr Crutcher's death along with the police killing of Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina, have sparked protests in both cities. In Charlotte, there was violence for two nights.
Ms Shelby's lawyer, Scott Wood, told the Tulsa World that his client believed Mr Crutcher was under the influence of the synthetic drug, PCP.
Police confirmed to the newspaper on Tuesday that a vial of the drug was found in the car.
Mr Kunzweiler said a warrant has been issued for the officer's arrest and arrangements were being made with her lawyer for her surrender.
Ms Shelby faces a minimum of four years in prison.
The US Justice Department has also opened a separate investigation to see if Mr Crutcher's civil rights were violated.
- BBC