A suspect has been arrested and charged with murder in the shooting of Justin Carr during Wednesday night's protest in Charlotte, North Carolina. Carr died on Thursday evening.
Rayquan Borum, 21, was identified through footage from the scene and arrested Friday morning, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Kerr Putney said. They are also using videos to identify suspects in property crimes that occurred Wednesday night, and Putney asked for the public’s help in those investigations.
Carr was killed outside the Omni Hotel on Trade Street, where crowds were protesting Tuesday's fatal police shooting of Keith Scott. Police were trying to contain protesters using tear gas. The sound of gunshots can be heard on numerous videos from the site of the demonstration. There have been reports that Carr might have been shot by a police rubber bullet.
An investigation into Carr's death is underway, Putney said. He would not provide further details.
Three people were arrested during Thursday night protests, which were much calmer than the protests on Wednesday, when 44 people were arrested.
Putney provided some detail on the investigation into Scott's death. Authorities are refusing to make public the videos of the shooting despite strong public demands.
Despite law enforcement’s refusal to release any videos, Scott’s family released a video recorded by his wife to NBC News.
“Last night is what a lawful demonstration looks like,” Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts told reporters during a press conference Friday morning. She added that she had “been on the streets” during Thursday’s protests. “I was grateful to see people voicing their opinions peacefully.”
One police officer and one member of the National Guard suffered minor injuries, and two officers were treated “after being sprayed with a chemical agent,” Putney said. A civilian was “transported by a medic, but was not related to the protest itself.”
"I am... very encouraged by the manner in which the First Amendment was exercised last night,” he said.
The police chief provided some detail on the investigation into Scott's death. Authorities are refusing to make public the videos of the shooting despite strong public demands. Part of the reason that the CMPD won’t release the footage is because they have turned over the investigation to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), which will run an independent probe.
A citywide curfew between the hours of midnight and 6 am remains in effect, the mayor said. Daycares and schools are exempt from the curfew. The National Guard, SBI and other statewide law enforcement agencies will remain deployed in Charlotte through Sunday at the request of Putney, Governor Pat McCrory said during a Friday afternoon press conference.
Borum confessed to the murder later on Friday, WCNC reported.