Killings of African Americans in US on the rise

Deaths of African Americans in the United States in the hands of police have taken a sharp rise in recent months.

While mass protest in US cities over the killing of unarmed black citizen Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri were still raging, reports of further such killing in police action kept on coming.

Walter Lamer Scott, of South California became the latest victim of unlawful killing by the police.

These killings were caught on video to show the true colours of their actions and how the incidents went down

August 9, 2014

Victim: Michael Brown, 18

Location: Ferguson, Missouri

Michael Brown, was shot dead by a police officer in Missouri sparking a nationwide protest against racial discrimination. 

The officer Darren Wilson said the two quarreled in the street of the Fugerson and fearing for his life, shot the  18-year-old six times.

Witnesses say the teenager was surrendering with his hands in the air to show he was unarmed, when the officer opened fire.

August 19, 2014

Victim: Kajieme Powell, 25

Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Kajime Powell was shot by the police, describing him to be "behaving erratically" and carrying a knife when officers arrived on the scene.

But a cell phone footage by witnesses show Powell approaching the cops, but not coming as close as was reported, with his hands at his side. The officers began shooting within 15 seconds of their arrival, hitting Powell with a barrage of bullets.

November 22, 2014

Victim: Tamir Rice, 12

Location: Cleveland Ohio

Tamir Rice was shot by the police as he was brandishing a toy gun in a local park in Ohio.

Cleveland Police Officer Timothy Loehmann fired the fatal shots at Tamir in November within two seconds of arriving outside a recreation center where the 12-year-old was playing with a pellet gun.

Mayor Frank Jackson expressed that, 'the death of Tamir was his own fault', creating a sensational outcry for justice.

December 2, 2014

Victim: Rumain Brisbon, 34

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Rumain Brisbon, was shot twice and killed by an officer who police said thought Brisbon had a gun.

Police officer Mark Rine, 30, shot Brisbon after a struggle during which the white officer mistook a pill bottle in the father of four's pocket for a gun.

Feb 19, 2015

Victim: Mario Valencia

Location: Tucson, Arizona

Mario Valencia was spotted by police as he was walking down the street, and pointing the rifle at his head. At one point, he fired a bullet round into the air.

Minutes later, the police vehicle slammed into a suspect at high speed when it seemed the man was intent on killing himself with a rifle he had just stolen from a nearby Walmart.

March 1, 2015

Victim: Charley Saturmin Robinet, 39

Location: Los Angeles, California

The video footage of the unarmed homeless man shot by the LA police went viral hours after the incident happened.

Charley Saturmin Robinet, also known as 'Africa' was shot and killed by Los Angeles police after he scuffled with officers.

March 6, 2015

Victim: Tony Robinson, 19

Location: Madison, Wisconson

Tony Robinson was shot by a police officer Matt Kenny, which caused a massive uproar of protest against the rise of police barbarity in the country.

Police say Robinson assaulted Kenny after he had forced his way into the teenager's apartment after hearing a "disturbance".

April 8 2015

Victim: Walter Lamer Scott, 50

Location: South Carolina

Walter Lamer Scott was shot dead by a white South Carolina police officer who appeared to be fleeing from him.

Authorities say the victim,was shot after the officer already targeted him with a stun gun.