The shooting triggered several nights of protests across the city.

Mr Scott’s family say he was unarmed but police insist he had a gun.

In the bodycam and dashcam footage of the shooting released by police, it is unclear if there is anything in Mr Scott’s hands.

But at a news conference following the ruling on Wednesday, prosecutors revealed surveillance footage from a nearby shop of Mr Scott showing the apparent outline of holstered gun on his ankle.

The footage shows Mr Scott getting out of his car to go into the shop and then getting back into his car.

Prosecutors say Mr Scott then parked in the car park at the apartment complex, beside officers.

Plainclothes officers had gone to the complex to look for a suspect with an outstanding warrant – not Mr Scott.

Officers say Mr Scott then proceeded to smoke a joint and hold up a semi-automatic hand gun.

Mr Scott then exited the car when officers approached, they say. At that point they deemed Mr Scott a threat and officer Brentley Vinson fired his weapon.

Mr Scott was pronounced dead later at a local hospital from gunshot wounds to his back and abdomen.

IMAGE:Keith Lamont Scott (L) and Officer Brently Vinson (R)

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