Protesters clashed with police and shut down a major highway overnight in the eastern U.S. city of Charlotte after a black officer shot dead a black man at an apartment complex.

Police said the shooting happened Tuesday afternoon as officers were looking for someone else and saw 43-year-old Keith Lamont Scott get out of a car with a gun. 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney told reporters that the officer who shot Scott felt he posed an “imminent threat” and that a gun was recovered at the scene.  Family members said Scott was unarmed.

The protests began shortly after the shooting and extended into Wednesday.  Police in riot gear tried to control the crowds and at one point used tear gas.  Multiple injuries were reported, including about 12 officers.

Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts said on Twitter the “community deserves answers” and pledged a full investigation of the shooting.

Chants from protesters included the refrain “hands up, don’t shoot” that has been heard in places all over the United States during the past few years in response to the use of deadly force by police.

Another demonstration took place Tuesday outside of police headquarters in the midwestern city of Tulsa, where on Friday an officer killed an unarmed black man standing next to his car.

A lawyer for the officer who killed Terence Crutcher said she also feared for her life and fired when Crutcher reached through a window into the car.

But Crutcher’s family disputed that account Tuesday, presenting images from video released by police that they said showed the window was closed.  They are calling for action to be taken against the officer.
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