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Charlotte Shooting; Friend of Officer Speaks. Aired 2-2:30p ET

Aired September 22, 2016 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[14:00:06] POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: Top of the hour. I'm Poppy Harlow, in today for my friend Brooke Baldwin, as we wait for the governor of North Carolina to speak at any moment. A major American city is under an official state of emergency today. Violence erupting in the streets of Charlotte after the shooting death of an African- American man by a black police officer in that city.

For roughly seven hours last night and into the early morning hours, police in riot gear fired tear gas to disperse crowds of protesters, some of them vandals, in the city's uptown district. They threw rocks, set fires and looted, smashed windows and car windows. We can tell you that one person was shot in the chaos and that person is still in critical condition, although the circumstances around that shooting still pretty clear.

Today, some surprising revelations from the Charlotte Police Department about the video of Keith Lamont Scott's death. A video we may never get to see. The public may never see this.

Let's bring in our Brian Todd. He is live in the protest zone in Charlotte.

You were at the news conference this morning. A lot of headlines from the police chief, but what stands out most?

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Poppy, Chief Kerr Putney is under considerable public pressure to release that dash cam video. At the news conference he was asked a lot of questions about it and asked some very pointed and tough questions about it. And he steadfastly maintained he is not planning on releasing that video publicly. He said it's their policy not to release that video.

We did talk to a police official who viewed the video, who told us that the video does show Keith Lamont Scott making what this official called a threatening move toward police. This official also told us that Scott had an ankle holster on him at the time of this incident. But asked about any possible threatening move that might be seen on the tape, here is what Chief Kerr Putney had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF KERR PUTNEY, CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG, NORTH CAROLINA POLICE: What I can tell you that I saw - and I was very clear when I talked about this before - is the video does not give me absolutely, definitive, visual evidence that - that would confirm that a person is pointing a gun. I did not see that in the videos that I've reviewed. So what I can tell you though is, when taken in the totality of all of the other evidence, it supports what we've heard and the version of the truth that we gave about the circumstances that happened that led to the death of Mr. Scott.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TODD: So Chief Putney maintaining he is not prepared to release that video publicly. He is trying to grant to the family of Mr. Scott's request to view the video. It's not clear whether they've viewed it at this point or not. But at this point, Poppy, the city is really looking ahead to what's possibly going to happen tonight right in this neighborhood.

We can show you some of the cleanup going on here. This is a building that was damaged last night. People are in here kind of replacing the punched out glass. We can take you down here. They're starting to board up this building. A lot of the businesses along this street that were damaged and looted have been boarded up. They did a pretty good job of repairing everything quickly. Here's another, you know, window, door of a - window of a door here that was punched out and they're boarding this up fairly soon. So, again, the cleanup continues.

But real anxiety about what's going to happen tonight. Chief Putney did say that he is not prepared at this point to institute a curfew tonight. He said he will rethink that later if he has to. And we can tell you that there are reinforcements here. The National Guard is now here and the state troopers are now here. That is a change from last night and that is at the request of Chief Putney.

Poppy.

HARLOW: Brian Todd, thank you so much.

And that is the question, as you were saying, what is going to happen tonight? Will tonight be like last night? Will it be more calm? Will it be more violent? The National Guard is there. That is a key difference from last night. Deployed as this city prepares for nightfall. Our Ryan Young is also in Charlotte for us this afternoon.

What is being done tonight? Obviously we've got a much bigger police presence. You've got the National Guard. We're awaiting a press conference from the governor that will begin in less than half an hour. What are you expecting for tonight? What are the people there expecting?

RYAN YOUNG, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Look, that's absolutely the conversation that people have been having downtown. We've talked to several of them. They talk about the idea that last night started out as a peaceful protest and then all of a suddenly someone was shot and then the crowd turned and there was a difference between how the crowd was acting after that man was shot.

So now everybody's been scrubbing social media to figure out whether or not there's going to be an organized protest or will things just kind of spawn on their own. One of the things that we've noticed, because we've been walking throughout this city, is situations just like this one. Business owners who have had to come out and put boards up. Some are doing that to protect their windows and some had rocks smashed through their buildings. So you can see this is going up protectively.

[14:05:00] We even talked to a store owner who experienced this same situation back during the L.A. riots. So the conversation really is this, will the community move forward? And I can tell you, most people who have been walking up to us have asked us this singular question, are they going to show the weapon? Are they going to show the video? And that question hasn't been answered just yet. We've talked to other people who say, this is not the way to move forward. They want a bigger conversation here in Charlotte. But, right now, no organized effort has been talked about as businesses, like the one behind us, are trying to pull it back together.

Poppy.

HARLOW: But, you know, the chief made it very clear in that press conference, the public will not see this video. He says it, you know, wouldn't be additive or helpful to the conversation. But it sounds like everyone you're talking to wants to see that video and wants as much transparency from the police department as possible.

YOUNG: That's the - that's the point, yes.

HARLOW: Ryan Young, thank you very much. We will wait and see.

I want to go now to my friend and colleague, Ashleigh Banfield. She is standing by outside of the police department in Charlotte.

Ashleigh, is that the same sentiment that you've been hearing through the day? I mean you broadcast your show from there today. Did people - will not be satisfied until they see the video in its totality?

ASHLEIGH BANFIELD, ANCHOR, CNN'S "LEGAL VIEW": You know, it's funny I've heard some other narratives about that, that even if the video shows something preclusionary (ph), that may not be satisfying. I'm not sure. It's a tough one. Think about Michael Brown. The DOJ found all sorts of information suggesting there were no hands up before the shooting, and that didn't quell a lot of the frustration. So I really don't know, but I think people want to see it no matter what.

A couple of things that we've learned today on the legal front. I just want to unload a couple of pieces of detail that are significant and this first piece of detail needs some context. As it turns out, the victim in this case, Keith Lamont Scott, had a prior record. He actually had a conviction. He pled to a felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon back in '03. He was indicted in '03 for that after shooting a man in '02. He actually went to prison until 2011. That means nothing to that moment where a police officer had to make a split decision as to whether to fire or not because presumably those police officers who responded did not know anything about the background of Keith Lamont Scott. But there will be many across the country who will seize on that narrative and it may, may, may end up in a trial if that police officer goes to court. Sometimes prior bad acts can get into trial, many times they cannot. So I want you to just know about that.

Then I need you to also know about some of the - the logistics of the law here in North Carolina because just a couple of months ago, in July, the governor here signed bill HB 972. It may have gone unnoticed to a lot of people except for this, it suggests that it is not public record for the public to be able to have access to video that comes from body cams or dash cams. Not public record. This might be way you are hearing the police chief say they are not planning to release that video that they say they have - and that they have reviewed.

Here's the interesting part. That law doesn't go into effect until next week, October 1. So there is this window right now where it may be at the discussion of the officers, of the police officers at the discretion of the police department, the chief and the mayor. It may just be that they are waiting this out until they absolutely cannot release it. However, in that bill, Poppy, the family does have a right to ask to see it. They can't videotape it. They can't copy it.

What you saw unfold in this beautiful city that's so quiet and pristine today, it is so unusual to see it just a matter of hours later. When the sun came up, what you saw on television was nothing like what we saw when we went to the downtown business district. Have a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BANFIELD: It's hard to believe that this is the scene of all of that activity last night. This was one of the intersections where that ring of riot police were last night. And this morning the street sweepers were out early cleaning up debris, cleaning up those canisters, broken glass, anything on the streets. And it's business as usual back in the business district, which is where the majority of the action was last night, and the damage.

But if you can't see it here, come with me. This is where the majority of the damage was, the Epicenter Entertainment Complex. Come over here and see the souvenir shop that was smashed and looted last night. A lot of the evidence still on the sidewalk below. You can see the debris, the broken glass, some of the products that were scattered inside, taking stock of how bad the damage actually is. Outside, two officers standing guard to make sure there's no additional looting at this time. But what you're seeing on the ground here is the evidence of looters as witnesses say picking up anything they could from the street and using it to smash glass.

Two private company police vehicles, usually stationed here to provide security for the light rail above, unfortunately caught up in all that violence last night. Their windows smashed. And, today, they're just sitting here waiting for repair.

[14:10:03] One of the worst-hit places was the Hyatt House Hotel. Take a look at the damage that the front windows sustained. Apparently the hotel manager saying that the looters used bricks to smash out these windows, but that was the least of their worries because there was actually injury here as well. These front doors apparently smashed in as well and a valet and a front desk manager also injured when they were hit in the face by some of these protesters.

And this wasn't the only business. It was the Nascar Hall of Fame, Buffalo Wild Wing restaurant and the Hampton Inn, all of these places reporting not only looting but also possibly confrontation too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BANFIELD: And, Poppy, I'll tell you, the streets are echoing in that area right now with the sounds of hammers and nails because they are fixing those windows just as fast as they can. All the while, just behind me, in those doors, back behind me about 100 feet or so, police chief and some of his deputies getting ready for a press conference to give us the most latest update. Everybody's waiting, bated breath, waiting for every single detail in this case, absent that video, Poppy.

HARLOW: Ashleigh, thank you so much. It's important to walk around to see sort of the aftermath, the morning after of what is left when the protests end, especially ahead of what might happen tonight. Thank you, Ash, we'll get back to you in a little bit.

BANFIELD: Sure.

HARLOW: Coming up next, a CNN exclusive. I will speak live with a friend of the officer who shot and killed Scott. Hear how the officer is reacting and what he thinks of what we saw break out last night in Charlotte.

Also, moments from now, the governor of North Carolina, Pat McCrory, set to speak live in Charlotte just about 2:30 Eastern Time. He says nothing will stop the city from protecting its officers.

Also ahead, Donald Trump clarifying his call for an expansion of stop and frisk. Hear what he is proposing now and we'll go through the facts, what the numbers really show us about it if works or not. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:16:00] HARLOW: Welcome back. I'm Poppy Harlow, in for Brooke Baldwin.

A second night of violence in Charlotte after a man is shot and killed by police. Moments ago, Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced that four members of the Justice Department's community relations service are headed to Charlotte as we speak. She also spoke directly to the rioters and to the looters who acted out last night prompting Charlotte Police to make 44 arrests.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LORETTA LYNCH, ATTORNEY GENERAL: But I urge those responsible for bringing violence to these demonstrations to stop because you're drowning out the voices of commitment and change and you're ushering in more tragedy and grief in our communities. And too many times we've allowed ourselves to be pulled down the easy

path of blame and accusation, rather than the harder path of empathy and understanding. Let us choose that path.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: My next guest hopes that people will heed that call for understanding and empathy. He is a friend of the Charlotte officer, Brentley Vinson, who shot and killed Keith Lamont Scott on Tuesday. Vinson is currently on paid administrative leave. With me now is Michael Scurlock. He met Vinson through a Bible study class they attended together. They know each other very well.

Thank you for being with me.

MICHAEL SCURLOCK, FRIEND OF OFFICER WHO KILLED KEITH LAMONT SCOTT: Thank you, Poppy. Appreciate you having me on.

HARLOW: When is the last time that you spoke with your friend, that you spoke with Officer Vinson?

SCURLOCK: I believe that was yesterday with the interview that I did with Brooke. So that was the last time.

HARLOW: Right. So - so not since then?

SCURLOCK: Not since then, no.

HARLOW: Let's talk about what happened last night in your city. I mean behind you we see, you know, the beauty of Charlotte, the business district, et cetera. And Ashleigh just walked us through the streets and what remains and the damage that was done. What we saw break out on live television last night, frankly, was astounding for a lot of people. What do you make of what happened in your city?

SCURLOCK: Well, I think Ms. Scott said it correctly. I think any time you have a peaceful protest turn into violence and malicious damage to property, I think the main concern is the individuals who were actually doing it. And I think it does drown out the true message and the true protest that the message is trying to get across to, whether it be law enforcement or just in - to the media in general.

HARLOW: You know, right, this is a way to make your voices heard. This makes it to live television, right, and this gets a lot of attention. What's interesting is the juxtaposition of what happened in your city last night, in Charlotte, to what happened in Tulsa following the officer-involved deadly shooting in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Last night, as our Ana Cabrera has been reporting, you had a thousand people, black and white, come together in a vigil sort of church service and, you know, talk about change and how do we affect change. Such different reactions. What do you make of that?

SCURLOCK: Well, I think one of the biggest things is I think that's the same thing we're wanting here in Charlotte as well. We want to help bring the community together. We want to help political divide. We want to help racial divide. We want to help law enforcement divide. So one of the main things is, is that's what we're wanting hear is the same. And, you know, if we can't get to that resolution, then obviously it sets us back to where we need to be.

HARLOW: So we know from police chief, Putney, this morning in that press conference that they're likely going show the Scott family this video, right? They're sorting out how to do that and they'd like the family to be able to see it. At the same time, he made the point that he has absolutely no intention of releasing this video to the public. Now, legally, there's a question there, right, because this is before October 1st when the law gets - becomes effective that would allow them to not release it as part of the public record. So we'll see if legally they don't have to release it. Do you think, as an officer, that this video should be released to the public for full transparency?

[14:19:59] SCURLOCK: Well, first of all, I trust that the legal system is taking its part and it's taking its place. I think - I think it's a great thing that Chief Putney is going to allow the family, at least, to be able to see the video and to have some type of closure as well. But I've always believed that - and law enforcement, any time you have any type of incident like this or anything, you know, that the public may want to see, I think transparency is always key. I think it's crucial for building the relationships within the community, the trust within the community. It's also - it also creates an atmosphere of calmness. You know, it vindicates - it vindicates as well. So by having transparency with releasing video, I think it never hurts.

HARLOW: Did Officer Vinson say to you - I know you haven't spoken to him since yesterday, but did he say to you at all if he wants that video out there?

SCURLOCK: Yes, again, we didn't go into great, great detail.

HARLOW: OK.

SCURLOCK: And, again, it was one of the things that I wanted to respect his privacy and I wanted to respect his family and - and his - the time that they were having as a family, as a whole. Again, I just wanted to let him know that I was in prayer for him, my family, were wanting to encourage them. And again, and I know that, you know, with the families of Mr. Scott as well, you know, I hurt and ache for them as well and my prayers got out to that family as well.

HARLOW: Let's talk about a big statement that just came out from Michael Jordan. You were an NFL player and being an athlete, and a star athlete, puts you in the spotlight. Michael Jordan, one of the biggest athletes in the world ever, this is his city, he owns the NBA team, the Hornets. Here's what he - the statement that he puts out. Here's part of it. "It is more important than ever that we restore calm and come together as a community in peaceful demonstration and conversation, and in constructive and non-violent ways. As part of the fabric of Charlotte, the Hornets organization is committed to working with civic leaders, our elected leaders and law enforcement to foster more trust, transparency and understanding."

You know, he, in the past, has been criticized by some for not being vocal on a lot of social issues, right? We've seen a little more of that lately from him. What do you make of this statement? Is it enough? Would you like to hear more?

SCURLOCK: Well, I think everybody's going to handle situations differently. And how Mr. Jordan chooses to do that, you know, I think he has that right. I think, as a whole, I think, again, he's saying the same thing I believe that a lot of the leaders are saying here within the community, you want to see the community brought back together, you want to see - you want to prevent the racial, the political divide, law enforcement divide within the community.

HARLOW: But I think - but I think it's one thing, right, to put a paper statement out, and I'm not being critical of it all. What I'm asking is, someone as famous, as well-known and renowned and respected and admired as Michael Jordan, this is his city. He owns the NBA team in this city. Would it be even more helpful to have him give this message face to face, on camera, to the people?

SCURLOCK: Again, I wouldn't want to comment to that. You know, again, people handle situations differently. And if Mr. Jordan chooses to have a hard copy in writing for the public to see, I, you know, you know, that's - that would be his choice. You know, my wife sent me a - not an article but a short speech of Martin Luther King and it - and it pretty much said similar things to what Mr. Jordan said as well. So it's about unifying the country as a whole, not just Charlotte, but the country, and bringing trust back within the community.

HARLOW: Yes, let's hope we start to see some of that unifying play out there tonight in your city. Michael, thank you very much.

SCURLOCK: Thank you, Poppy.

HARLOW: All right, coming up next, he says stop and frisk worked in New York City. Now Donald Trump suggests the controversial policy might work to curb the violence in Chicago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I would do stop and frisk. I think you have to. We did in the New York. It worked incredibly well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:28:50] HARLOW: Donald Trump suggesting that the controversial police policy of stop and frisk should be expanded. Here's what he said this week at a town hall.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I would do stop and frisk. I think you have to. We did in the New York. It worked incredibly well. And you have to be proactive. And, you know, you - you really help people sort of change their mind automatically. You understand. You - you have to have - in my opinion, I see what's going on here, I see what's going on in Chicago. I think stop and frisk in New York City it was so incredible the way it worked.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: But this morning his senior communications advisor, Jason Miller, clarifying his comments saying, quote, "Mr. Trump believes that a locally tailored version of stop and frisk should be used in Chicago to help reduce the city's skyrocketing violence and make our Chicago safe again."

His comments come as Trump continues to push forward his pitch with African-American voters, saying he will be the best president for them. New York City's mayor, Bill de Blasio, on CNN's "New Day" this morning said this.

[14:29:52] (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO (D), NEW YORK: The bottom line is, it created a huge amount of division between police and community. We ended that unconstitutional use of stop and frisk, that over use of stop and frisk. What's happened in the three years since we made the change, crime has gone down consistently since we actually stopped using it. You know, Donald Trump talks about stop and frisk like he knows the facts. He has had no experience with policing, no experience with public safety.