Cop Shoots Unarmed Motorist During Traffic Stop (GRAPHIC)

(Mediaite) Since-fired South Carolina Highway Patrol officer Sean Groubert was arrested and charged with assault and battery Wednesday, stemming from an incident in Columbia, SC in which he shot a motorist during a traffic stop.

Video shows Groubert pulling up to Levar Jones, who had just parked at a gas station (the stop was ostensibly over a seat belt violation).

Groubert instructed Jones to get his license, but when Jones reached into the car to retrieve it Groubert began shooting. Groubert continued firing even after Jones, who was unarmed, had backed away from the car with his hands raised.

“Why did you shoot me?” Jones is heard to ask. “I just got my license! You said get my license.” When Groubert asked if Jones was hit, he replied, “I can’t feel my legs.”

Groubert was fired from the patrol last week, and faces up to twenty years in prison if convicted. Jones, meanwhile, was hopsitalized and is recovering from a gunshot wound to the hip.

Watch the video below, via The State.