Zachary Hammond's death sees Civil Rights investigation launched in SC

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Zachary Hammond, 19, was shot on July 26 in Seneca, South Carolina
Was on a date with Tori Morton, 23, who was eating ice cream at the time
Unidentified officer claimed he shot him because he 'feared for his life'
Hammond's family called for an investigation into his civil rights

By Kate Pickles For Mailonline and Wills Robinson For Dailymail.com

Published: 03:44 EST, 13 August 2015 | Updated: 06:46 EST, 13 August 2015

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The federal government has launched an investigation into the death of an unarmed teen who was on a first date when he was shot by police in South Carolina.

Zachary Hammond, 19, was gunned down on July 26 in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant in Seneca, South Carolina, while his date Tori Morton, 23, ate ice cream alongside him.

The officer claims he shot him dead through the driver's side window because he 'feared for his life' as he was driving towards him.

Zachary Hammond, 19, pictured above, was shot dead on July 26 in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant in Seneca, South Carolina, while his date Tori Morton, 23, ate ice cream alongside him.

But his death was later ruled a homicide following two autopsies - one by local officials and another private.

One revealed the shots came from the back and the car was not moving at the time - questioning the theory from police that the officer was in fear of his life.

Now the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, U.S. attorney's office and the FBI will open a case into his death.

The announcement comes a day after lawyers for Hammond's family requested an inquiry due to what they called 'the substantial violations of (the late teenager's) civil rights' and the need for a 'transparent and independent investigation of the Seneca Police Department.'

'This investigation will run parallel to the state's investigation,' the Department of Justice said in a statement.'Because this is an ongoing matter, we are not able to comment further at this time.'

The officer claims he shot 19-year-old Hammond dead through the driver's side window because he was driving towards him and feared for his life

Seneca Police department have refused to name the officer involved in the shooting, despite similarities to other recent cases - including the deadly shooting of Samuel DuBose.

Seneca Police chief John Covington, whose son has previously been arrested on drug charges, has stood by the account and insists the boy wasn't shot from behind.

The shooting took place during a drug buy, set up by police, outside a Hardees restaurant.

Adam Covington, the son of Seneca's police chief was arrested and charged with misconduct in office and theft of a controlled substance after stealing 30 hydrocodone pills from a woman

Officers found just 10 grams of marijuana on Morton and arrested her. The police report failed to mention the two gunshots that killed Hammond.

Covington said the officer approached the car with his gun out, as is protocol with drug arrests.

Paul Hammond, Zachary's father, told WSPA: 'Zachary was a real person. He's my son. Somebody has to answer.

'What caused the officer to decide what he needed to do was take my 19-year-old son's life. It's a struggle right now, every day, just not knowing.'

The family's attorney Eric Bland told The Washington Post: 'The shots were so close in proximity to each other that it would be physically impossible unless the car was stopped and the officer came up very close to an open window.'

He also commented on the lack of outcry following his death, suggesting recent police-related shootings have received more press coverage.

'It's sad, but I think the reason is, unfortunately, the media and our government officials have treated the death of an unarmed white teenager differently than they would have if this were a death of an unarmed black teen.

'The hypocrisy that has been shown toward this is really disconcerting.'

Covington's son Adam was arrested and charged with misconduct in office and theft of a controlled substance after stealing 30 hydrocodone pills from a woman named Peggy Smith at the Oconee County Detention Center.