NORTH CHARLESTON, South Carolina -- The police chief of North Charleston says he's "sickened" by a video showing a white police officer shooting and killing an unarmed black man.
"I have watched the video and I was sickened by what I saw. I have not watched it since," Chief Eddie Driggers told reporters on Wednesday during an unruly press conference inside North Charleston City Hall.
An eyewitness who was on scene during the shooting captured the video, which the New York Times first released Tuesday evening. It shows the victim, 50-year-old Walter Scott, running away from the police officer, who fires eight shots into the man's back.
Editor's note: The video below contains graphic language and violence.
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Scott, a father of four who served in the Coast Guard, died of his injuries. The 33-year-old officer, Michael Slager, has been arrested and charged with murder. He's currently in protective custody at the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in North Charleston.
North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey told reporters on Wednesday that he and Chief Driggers had visited Scott's family to express their condolence and offer the city's support.
North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey at the podium now. Said he visited the family of #WalterScott pic.twitter.com/erzgBmWdZS— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) April 8, 2015
"We let them know how we felt about their loss and how bad it was," Summey said. "We do not condone wrong, doesn't matter who it is, and we are there to support them as we can for the future."
Officer Slager's wife is eight months pregnant. Although he has been fired, Summey said the city would continue to cover health insurance for her and the baby until after the child is born.
"We think that is the humane thing for us to do," Summey said.
Since the video was released, protests are popping up around the North Charleston area. Throughout the press conference on Wednesday, a crowd chanted "No justice, no peace!" and "We want Driggers!" Mayor Summey appealed for calm to address questions from the media.
Once the event was over, protesters streamed out of the event and into the street outside, holding signs that read "black lives matter" and "the whole world is watching."
Some signs outside North Charleston City Hall. #WalterScott pic.twitter.com/53CoAXcWWF— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) April 8, 2015