South Carolina Cop Won’t Face Charges for Killing Unarmed Teen During Pot Bust

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A police officer who gunned down an unarmed South Carolina teenager in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant earlier this year will not face charges, a state prosecutor announced on Tuesday.

Solicitor Chrissy Adams said the state would not charge Officer Mark Tiller in the July shooting death of 19-year-old Zachary Hammond in Seneca, South Carolina.

While Tiller won't face charges from the state, the Department of Justice is still investigating and could proceed with charges in the future.

Related: Video Shows Cop Rip Female Student Out of Desk in South Carolina Classroom

The prosecutor announced her decision just as video footage of the incident surfaced for the first time. The dash cam recording shows Tiller driving up behind Hammond's parked car at a Hardee's restaurant. The officer confronts Hammond and opens fire after the vehicle backs up and attempts to drive away.

Police said they had arranged a drug deal with Hammond's passenger, identified as Toni Morton, and were attempting to make an arrest when the shooting happened, according to South Carolina's Post and Courier. Morton was later charged with simple possession of marijuana.

John Mussetto, Tiller's attorney, told the Associated Press that his client acted in self defense during the shooting.

Related: South Carolina City to Pay Walter Scott's Family $6.5m in Police Shooting Settlement

A federal lawsuit filed by Hammond's family claims that Tiller shouted "I'll blow your fucking head off" before unloading on the teen. The suit also purports that the officer gave Hammond's dead body a "celebratory high-five."

Hammond family attorney Ronald Richter Jr. said the family disagrees with the state's decision "not to go forward" with charges.

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