Five people, including four officers and a shooter, were killed in a deadly shootout in Charlotte, North Carolina, making it the deadliest single-day incident for U.S. law enforcement since 2016. Saing Chhoeun, who was locked out of his home during the standoff, started live-streaming the events on his phone, capturing the dramatic shootout. This incident highlighted how smartphone-wielding bystanders are not always running for cover during such situations but instead are looking to share their perspective through livestreaming. Experts believe this reflects the new role that bystanders play in the age of smartphones.
In the digital era, the responsibility of a bystander has shifted towards recording events on their phones, according to Karen North, a digital social media professor at the University of Southern California Annenberg. Where previously the motto was “If you see something, say something,” it has now transformed into “If you see something, start recording.” Chhoeun, who found himself locked out of his home during the shootout, felt compelled to document the event using his phone, providing a unique perspective to the world. Other residents, like Rissa Reign, also used livestreaming as a means to inform the community about the unfolding situation, showcasing the power of social media in bringing awareness to real-time events.
Mary Angela Bock, a media professor at the University of Texas at Austin, highlighted various reasons why individuals might pull out their phones during crisis situations such as the one in Charlotte. Whether driven by a human attraction to violence, the desire to catch someone in an embarrassing situation, or a sense of citizenship to bear witness on behalf of the community, there are different motivations for recording these events. Bock emphasized the importance of multiple perspectives, as videos may not always capture the whole story, and more views of a scene provide a better understanding of what occurred.
The right to record police work in public has been affirmed by numerous federal appeals courts, emphasizing the importance of citizen video in creating additional evidence. Stephen Dubovsky, a professor emeritus of psychiatry, suggested that livestreaming during a crisis might offer a sense of safety to individuals, as they can engage with others while remaining one step detached from the situation. Chhoeun’s video captured the heartbreaking scene of law enforcement agents sheltering behind a car and dropping to the ground as bullets sprayed around them, underscoring the dangers faced by those in law enforcement. Despite the risks involved, Chhoeun and other bystanders felt compelled to document the events unfolding before them through their smartphones.
In conclusion, the use of smartphones and livestreaming technologies has shaped the role of bystanders in crisis situations like the shootout in Charlotte. These devices allow individuals to share real-time perspectives, inform communities, and bear witness to events as they unfold. While there are various motivations for recording such incidents, the importance of multiple perspectives and respectful distance in capturing events is crucial in providing a comprehensive understanding of the situation. The tragic events in Charlotte serve as a reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers and the vital role that bystanders play in documenting and sharing important events with the world.
