http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/06/us/police-experts-keith-lamont-scott-shooting.html 2016-10-05 15:11:50 Could Officers Have Avoided Shooting Keith Scott? Experts Weigh In Experts assess whether de-escalation tactics, an approach aimed at preventing some police confrontations, could have changed the outcome of Mr. Scott’s fatal encounter. === A spate of killings by the police has put a renewed focus on Supporters of de-escalation training acknowledge that police officers’ traditional, aggressive approach is often needed. Recognizing in a split second when such tactics might be counterproductive can be difficult, experts say, as can pivoting quickly from one mind-set to the other. The New York Times interviewed experts in police officers’ tactics about the recent shooting of Below is a description of events in Charlotte that led to Mr. Scott’s death and excerpts from what law enforcement experts told us about how the encounter might have gone differently. ____________ On Sept. 20, officers went to an apartment complex to serve a warrant. They were not there for According to the police, Mr. Scott, 43, drew their attention by holding a handgun and smoking marijuana. It is legal in North Carolina to carry a gun openly, but it would have been illegal for Mr. Scott to have one, because he was a felon. The information made public so far does not indicate that the officers knew who he was. The police have said that when officers approached him, he got into his parked sport utility vehicle. Videos captured parts of the encounter that led to his death. Joseph Ryan | Jonathan M. Wender | Robert W. Taylor | Geoffrey P. Alpert | Jim Bueermann | ____________ The videos show that officers closed in within a few yards of Mr. Scott, with their vehicles blocking his. Mr. Wender Professor Alpert Professor Taylor Mr. Bueermann ____________ The videos show that the officers drew their guns and pointed them at Mr. Scott. It is not clear whether he aimed a weapon at them. Professor Alpert Professor Taylor Mr. Ryan ____________ Officers shouted repeatedly at Mr. Scott to “drop the gun.” On the videos, that is their only attempt to speak to him, but the experts noted that the officers might have tried a less confrontational approach before the video began. Mr. Scott’s family has said that he had a traumatic brain injury, but it is not clear what, if any, mental impairment he may have had as a result. Mr. Bueermann Professor Alpert Professor Taylor Mr. Wender Mr. Bueermann ____________ Mr. Scott’s wife, Rakeyia Scott, was Mr. Wender Professor Alpert Mr. Bueermann ____________ One of the five officers surrounding him fired soon after Mr. Scott stepped out of his S.U.V. It is unclear what that officer saw — none of the videos is from his vantage point, nor do they make clear what was in Mr. Scott’s hands. The other officers did not shoot. Professor Taylor Professor Alpert Mr. Wender