Dashcam video has been released showing the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Zachary Hammond in South Carolina earlier this year. Lt. Mark Tiller of Seneca Police Department was in pursuit of Mr Hammond during an attempted drug arrest on 26 July.
The video above shows Mr Tiller catching up with Mr Hammond in his police car before exiting the vehicle and aiming his firearm at the 19-year-old.
Mr Tiller can be heard saying “Stop, stop, stop… I’m gonna shoot your f***ing ass” as an unarmed Mr Hammond tries to drive off.
The lieutenant was cleared of the use of deadly force on Tuesday after tenth circuit solicitor Chrissy Adams said it was “justified”.
“Zachary Hammond failed to comply with Lt Tiller’s orders and as a result he lost his life.”
“When Hammond made the conscious decision to flee a lawful stop he set in motion this tragic chain of events.”
The officer said he fired two shots at point-blank range because Mr Hammond rapidly accelerated towards him and he would have been run over. The footage apparently shows Mr Tiller shooting from the side of the vehicle.
Mr Hammond’s family is hoping federal authorities who are conducting an independent investigation will bring charges in the case.
Zachary’s father, Paul Hammond, told Greenville Online: “All we can do is keep continuing to try to do something.”
“But the worst thing about this whole thing is it’s not going to bring our son back, and it's torture on all of us.”
