A former police officer who shot and killed Walter Scott, an unarmed African-American man, was released on $500,000 bail Monday afternoon, AP reports. Michael T. Slager's trial date has been set to Oct. 31. He is charged with murder in the case.
The family of Scott asked the family to remain calm amid the news.

Footage taken of the April 2014 incident by an onlooker shows Scott running away from the cop who pulled out his gun and fired bullets at Scott until he fell to the ground. "Put your hands behind your back," Slager commanded to an unresponsive Scott. 

In June, Slager was indicted by a grand jury and charged with murder in the killing of Scott. Lawyers have been fighting to get Slager out on bond since he was arrested.
In October, North Charleston, South Carolina, city officials approved a $6.5 million settlement for the family of Scott.
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(Photo: Grace Beahm-Pool/Getty Images)