The police chief of riot-torn Charlotte, N.C., defended the controversial police-shooting of a black resident, whose slaying triggered violence and unrest – and the chief vowed Wednesday night to "restore order" in the community.
In an interview on Fox News' "The Kelly File," Kerr Putney, chief of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, told host Megyn Kelly there was "absolutely no doubt whatsoever" Keith Lamont Scott was armed when police shot and killed him Tuesday – though critics have alleged the gun was planted by officers.
"All I can tell you, all the evidence we have supports the version that we heard from witnesses, from our officers, and from the evidence that we found on the scene," Putney told Kelly. "It's not my job to dispute anybody's version. We are just going to present the facts and let the justice system run its course, and we will see how that turns out.
"Right now we are standing on the facts. I'm not fabricating anything. I have nothing to gain for doing something like that. We're just going to stand by the facts that we know."
And the chief, who is black, also stood staunchly behind his police force.
"They are doing heroic work, and I'm honored to be a part of it," he said.
Putney said police were trying to quell protesters; Fox News reported tear gas was used and looting was seen at one store.
"We're trying to disperse the crowd," Putney said. "We have been very patient. But now they have become very aggressive throwing bottles and so forth at my officers. So it's time for us now to restore order. . . .
"Sorry I can't really finish this interview with you. I have got to get back to work. We have got to get some order restored here in our city."
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