Protests have been ongoing since Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina after a police officer shot Bentley Vinson killed Keith Lamont Scott, both black men. Elon News Network sent a team down to Charlotte to report on the protests and what started as peaceful protests soon turned to chaos and another shooting.
Protests taking place in Marshall Park, began with conversation, raising signs, and lighting candles to remember Scott. But later in the night, a protest group started marching down East 3rd Street. The protesters blocked traffic but remained peaceful. But in other parts of Charlotte, protesters were seen damaging building's windows, parked cars and even starting fires.
According to local officials, Justin Carr, 26, of Charlotte, was shot and taken to the hospital last night. According to the Associated Press, Charlotte Police said Carr died and a homicide investigation has been launched. The shooting was civilian on civilian and did not involve police force.
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory responded by declaring a state of emergency and calling in the North Carolina National Guard to assist local police.
Mayor Jennifer Roberts and Chief Kerr Putney of the Charlotte Police Department held a press conference this morning at 10:30.
Protests are expected to continue later tonight.
There is a march scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday at Elon University, organized by the Black Student Union. In an email to the student body, Elon President Leo Lambert commended BSU's efforts in organizing the march, and encouraged all to attend.
"Elon is not a bubble isolated from the conflicts in our world," he said. "Instead, part of our practice as an academic community is to gather together in challenging times to listen to one another, to deeply examine our personal values and responsibilities, and to seek out solutions to the injustices in our local, national, and global communities."
Updated 8:29 p.m. 9/22/2016