A man is on life support after being shot in the head by a civilian in violent protests in Charlotte

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has declared a state of emergency in Charlotte after a man was shot in the head by a civilian as a peaceful protest over the fatal police shooting of a black man turned ugly.

The man is on life support, but was not wounded by a police officer, during the demonstration outside the Omni Hotel as the city saw a second night of unrest following the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott by a black police officer.

Charlotte Medic said it has taken eight patients - seven police officers and one civilian - to area hospitals during protests over the police shooting of Scott.

On social media, Gov. McCrory said he has declared a state of emergency and is sending in the National Guard and Highway Patrol to assist local law enforcement in the city.

'I want to assure the people of North Carolina that our SBI [State Bureau of Investigation] has already been assisting the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department throughout the last 24 hours,' he said in a statement on Facebook.

'Upon a very recent request of Chief Putney, the State Highway Patrol is sending in troopers to further help the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.'