Washington, April 8 (IANS): A white police officer in the US state of South Carolina was charged with murder after he was, in a video released, seen shooting and killing an unarmed black man who was running away.

According to the video shot by a bystander, Michael Slager (33), a city patrolman, shot Walter Scott (50) about eight times as he was running away from him, Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday.

Slager was arrested on Tuesday shortly after the video was handed over to city authorities. He could face death penalty or a term of 30 years to life in prison if convicted, an official statement said.

Slager said after the traffic stopped, he fired his Taser, an electronic stun gun, but it did not stop Scott from running away, according to police reports.

Slager initially said through his attorney that he believed he followed policies and procedures when he shot Scott.

However, his attorney announced that he would no longer represent the officer later Tuesday afternoon.

The US Department of Justice is set to launch an investigation.