Protests erupt after fatal officer-involved shooting in Charlotte, N.C.

[senona]

Police and protesters carry a seriously wounded protester into the parking area of the the Omni Hotel during a march to protest the death of Keith Scott Sept. 21, 2016

Charlotte Protest Turns Violent, Governor Declares State of Emergency and Deploys National Guard

A prayer vigil in honor of Keith Lamont Scott turned into a violent protest Wednesday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency, as riot gear-wearing police fired tear gas at demonstrators who threw bottles at police, blocked the interstate, threw objects at passing cars, jumped on vehicles, looted, vandalized a Hyatt hotel and attacked its employees.


And one of the protesters was in critical condition and on life support after being shot by another civilian.


Four police officers sustained non-life threatening injuries, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department tweeted early Thursday morning.

Police fire tear gas as protestors converge downtown following Tuesday's police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016.

"Governor Pat McCrory has declared a State of Emergency upon the request Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney," read a statement from the governor's office. "The governor has also initiated efforts to deploy the North Carolina National Guard and the State Highway Patrol to assist local law enforcement."

Earlier in the evening, Gov. McCrory said, "Upon a very recent request of Chief Putney, the State Highway Patrol is sending in troopers to further help the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department."

Also on their way to Charlotte are officials from the White House and the Department of Justice, according to ABC affiliate WSOC, citing mayor Jennifer Roberts. And the North Carolina NAACP State Conference said in a statement "we will be in Charlotte to talk with the family, key members of the community and City leaders" on Thursday, followed by a press conference in the afternoon.

Roy Cooper, North Carolina's attorney general said in statement, "Violence will not bring justice ... We must come together as a community to get answers and find a better path forward."

And once again, they broke into Charlotte Hornets team store, which the NBA team confirmed.
The Hyatt House hotel in the city's downtown also said protesters broke the property's windows and attacked two employees.

Before midnight, protesters descended upon Interstate 277, which they blocked. According to WSOC, protesters also threw objects at passing vehicles.




I understand the protesters wanting to be heard, to get their message out.
But violence and looting is not the way.
All that does is put them in a bad light, making them appear like trouble makers.