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ASHEBORO, N.C. – Attorneys for media outlets argued Friday that the public has a right to view police dash-cam video from the night UNC fraternity president Courtland Smith was killed in a confrontation with police.

"How did this prominent college student wind up dead on the highway at 4:30 in the morning, at the hands of the police?" asked attorney Hugh Stevens.

Smith was fatally shot during a confrontation with Archdale police last month.

It happened along a stretch of I-85 in Randolph County. Police say the 20-year-old student from Texas called 911, saying he had a gun and was threatening suicide.

Those tapes have already been released.

On the tape, one officer is heard saying, "Subject down," and another breaks in, saying, "Shots fired." The first officer then has the dispatcher call for an ambulance.

The SBI is investigating since the incident.

"You have a split second to make a decision," Archdale Police Chief Darrell Gibbs said on Aug. 24. "People have a lot of time to sit around and criticize and say what they would have done, but you've got to be there."

Assistant Randolph District Attorney Andy Gregson said "it wouldn't be appropriate" for him to comment on camera. He argued in court that the video was part of an ongoing investigation and shouldn't be released.

"At least it will shed light on what is currently a very dark corner," said Stevens.

Judge Vance B. Long accepted copies of the video to review and says he hopes to have a ruling within a week.