The man who filmed a US police officer fatally shooting an unarmed black man has said he knew immediately the profound significance of the footage.
"As you can see in the video, the police officer just shot him in the back," said Feidin Santana, who used his mobile phone to film the dramatic and tragic encounter in North Charleston, South Carolina.
"I knew right away, I had something on my hands," he told NBC television.
As a result of the recording, the police officer, 33-year-old Michael Slager, was charged with murder on Tuesday, and could face a sentence of up to life in prison or the death penalty.
Mr Slager stands accused of shooting Walter Scott, 50, repeatedly in the back after a scuffle that began with a traffic stop for a broken tail light.
Mr Santana said that after filming the incident, he immediately became fearful for his own safety.
"I won't deny I knew the magnitude of this, and I even thought about erasing the video," the 23-year old said in a separate interview with MSNBC television.
"I felt that my life with this information might be in some danger. I thought about erasing the video and getting out of the community, leaving North Charleston," he said.
In the video, Mr Scott is seen being shot as he tried to run from Mr Slager, who then handcuffs the dying man.
"It's not something that no one can feel happy about. He has his family, Mr Scott also has his family," said Mr Santana, who was on his way to work when he noticed Mr Slager and Mr Scott, and heard a stun gun being deployed.
"But I think, you know, [the officer] made a bad decision, and you pay for your decisions in this life."
The footage has been seen around the world and North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey has said there would have been no prosecution without the video.
Mr Slager has also been sacked from his job, but the city will cover insurance for his family until his pregnant wife gives birth.
