Jumpy patrolman Sean Groubert, 31, pulled over Levar Edward Jones at a petrol station for allegedly not wearing a seatbelt.
The officer asks to see his licence but panics when Mr Jones leans back into his car to produce it and opens up with a hail of bullets.
He fires four times, hitting his victim at least once in the hip as he can be heard screaming, "Get out of the car and get on the ground."
Seconds later, Mr Jones, 35, who has his hands up, falls to the floor and can be heard moaning in agony from his wounds.
He says: "I was just getting my license" as he apologises repeatedly, even though he has done nothing wrong.
He then asks, "Sir, why was I shot? All I did was reach for my license. I'm coming from work."
"Well, you dove head-first back into your car," Groubert says.
"Then you jumped back out, I'm telling you to get out of your car."
The whole scene was captured on the dashboard camera of Groubert's patrol car after he pulled up at the garage in Colombia, South Carolina.
Mr Jones was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been released.
Groubert has been sacked by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
He has also been charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and faces up to 20 years in prison for the attack on September 4.
South Carolina Highway Patrol Director Leroy Smith said the case was "disturbing".
In a statement, he said: "Mr Groubert�s actions rose to such an extent that his employment with us must be terminated.
"The facts of this case are disturbing to me, but I believe this case was an isolated incident in which Mr Groubert reacted to a perceived threat where there was none.
"The department�s Use of Force Policy makes clear that officers shall use 'only the level of force necessary to accomplish lawful objectives' and that 'the use of force must be discontinued when it becomes apparent to the officer that the force is no longer needed.' That protocol was not followed in this case."
Groubert's lawyer, Barney Giese told WISTV.com his client denies the charge, claiming he was justified in shooting Mr Jones, who reached for his licence "aggressively".
Groubert was bailed after he posted a $75,000 bond and is set to reappear in court on October 24.
Source : Mirror , South Carolina Police , Usa Today
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