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Killing of Michael Brown

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Shooting of Michael Brown
Map of Ferguson, Missouri
DateAugust 9, 2014 (2014-08-09)
Timec. 2:15 p.m.
LocationFerguson, Missouri, United States
Participants
  • Unidentified Ferguson PD police officer (shooter)
  • Michael Brown (victim)
  • Dorian Johnson, a friend of Brown who was with him when the two were initially confronted by the police officer
    • DeathsMichael Brown

    The shooting of Michael Brown occurred on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, United States. Brown was an unarmed 18-year-old African American male who was shot multiple times by a white Ferguson police officer whose identity has being officially withheld from the public since the killing.[1] The incident sparked protests and acts of vandalism in the St. Louis suburb as well as national calls for an investigation into the incident.[2]

    Protests and riots began the day after the shooting, following a morning vigil, prompting a response from about 150 local police officers in riot gear. Incidents of vandalism, arson, looting and assault were reported over a period of several days. On August 12, US President Barack Obama issued a statement expressing condolences to Michael Brown's family, and committing federal resources to conduct an investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened a civil rights investigation of the shooting on August 11.

    Brown had no criminal record.[3]

    Shooting

    The incident began around 2:00 p.m. on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, as Michael Brown and his friend, Dorian Johnson, 22, both African American, were walking on a street on their way to visit Brown's grandmother.[2][4] A Ferguson police officer drove up to the two young men shortly after 2:00 p.m. and ordered the men to get off of the street and onto the sidewalk. An altercation occurred. A shot was fired either in or from within the vehicle. The two men then began to flee. The officer gave chase, then fired an as-of-yet unspecified number of shots, wounding and then killing one of the two men, Michael Brown. Brown's body was approximately 35 feet away from the cruiser when he died,[2] and his body was not removed from the scene for an extended period of time. Dorian Johnson was not injured in the event. The Ferguson City Police Department has, as of August 13, 2014, declined to identify the officer involved in the shooting. He is currently on administrative leave. [5]

    St. Louis County Police account of events

    Initial encounter

    In a news conference held the day after the shooting, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar claimed, "The genesis of this was a physical confrontation...," during which Brown "physically assaulted the police officer."[1]

    Physical altercation between Michael Brown and police officer

    According to Belmar, the officer tried to exit his vehicle when Brown pushed him back into the car and allegedly assaulted the officer inside the car. Belmar also stated that Brown attempted to seize the officer's gun. According to Belmar, during the struggle in the vehicle, at least one shot was fired. Police acknowledge that "more than a couple" of shots were fired, in the course of the encounter, but have not yet, as of August 13, 2014, given a specific number, nor have they detailed the number of bullet wounds Brown sustained. Brown died about 35 feet from the officer's vehicle.[1][6][7]

    Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson has since stated that the officer who shot Brown was injured in the incident.[5]

    According to the Ferguson Police Department, dashboard cameras are not used in Ferguson police cars.[6]

    Witness accounts of events

    Initial encounter

    According to Dorian Johnson, who was walking with Brown at the time, the police officer pulled up beside them in his police cruiser and said, "Get the fuck on the sidewalk."[8][9][10][11][12] The young men replied that they were "not but a minute away from [their] destination, and we would shortly be out of the street," Johnson said.

    Physical altercation between police officer and Michael Brown

    According to Johnson's account, the officer drove a short distance forward, stopped and then backed up, almost hitting the pair. Johnson recalled, "We were so close, almost inches away, that when he tried to open his door aggressively, the door ricocheted both off me and Big Mike's body and closed back on the officer." The officer, still in his car, grabbed Brown through the door by his neck. Brown tried to pull away, but the officer kept pulling Brown toward him. The officer drew his weapon, and "he said, 'I'll shoot you' or 'I'm going to shoot' " and almost instantaneously fired his weapon, hitting Brown.

    Johnson told MSNBC's Chris Hayes that the claim by the St. Louis County police that that Brown went for the officer's gun is wrong, that Brown "did not reach for the officer's weapon at all."[13][14][15][16][17]

    The men ran, and then the officer shot Brown in the back. Brown turned, holding his hands in the air and said "I don't have a gun. Stop shooting!" The officer then shot him several more times.[18][19]

    Multiple witnesses corroborate various elements of Johnson's account, denying, for example that Brown reached for the officer's gun, and supporting the claim that after being hit in the back while fleeing, Brown put his hands in the air to make clear that he had no weapon and as a gesture of surrender. One witness, Piaget Crenshaw, stated that the police officer chased Brown, before shooting him again. When Brown then raised his arms in compliance, the officer shot him two more times.[20][21]

    According to the St. Louis office of the NAACP, a second witness has come forward who claims to have seen the entire event from the moment the police officer first approached the two men in his car.  This witness is reported to have seen no attempt whatsoever on the part of either young man to seize the police officer's gun.  The NAACP has arranged for this witness to be interviewed by the FBI.[22]

    Another witness, Tiffany Mitchell, who said that she arrived right before the fatal shots were fired, was interviewed by St. Louis News 4 channel saying that “After the shot, the kid just breaks away. The cop follows him, kept shooting, the kid’s body jerked as if he was hit. After his body jerked he turns around, puts his hands up, and the cop continues to walk up on him and continues to shoot until he goes all the way down.”[23]

    Investigations

    On August 10, Jon Belmar, chief of the St. Louis County Police Department, announced that their department would be in charge of the investigation, after receiving a request from Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson to investigate the shooting.[6][24] When the investigation is complete, the St. Louis County police will turn over the case to St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert P. McCulloch, who will determine whether or not charges need to be filed.[25]

    The Ferguson Police department declined to name the officer involved in the shooting, citing concerns for his safety and refused to commit to a deadline for releasing a full autopsy report.[26] On August 11, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened a parallel civil rights investigation into the incident,[27] and Attorney General Eric Holder instructed the Justice Department staff to monitor the developments.[28]

    Aftermath and reactions

    On August 10, Reverend Al Sharpton and the National Action Network announced their plans to travel to St. Louis.[29][30] The Brown family announced that Benjamin Crump, one of the lawyers in the Trayvon Martin case, would represent the family.[31]

    Local pastors held a vigil on the morning of Sunday, August 10.[30] Another vigil was planned on the same day, at 8:00 p.m. in the area where Brown was killed.[30] On August 12, President Obama offered his condolences to Brown's family and his community and stated that the Department of Justice was investigating the situation along with local officials.[32] In response to safety concerns, the school district in nearby Jennings cancelled the first day of classes.[33][34]

    Civil unrest and protests

    2014 Ferguson protests
    DateAugust 10, 2014 – present
    Location
    Ferguson, Missouri
    Caused byShooting of Michael Brown
    GoalsProtesters trying to gain control of the city and beyond.
    Parties

    Protesters
    Looters

    'Supported by:
    Anonymous (group)[35]
    Casualties and losses
    1 critically wounded (shot by police)[36]
    At least 35 looters arrested
    2 minor injuries

    On August 12, several hundred protestors gathered in Clayton, the county seat seeking criminal prosecution of the officer involved in the shooting.[37] Protestors in Ferguson carried signs and many held their hands in the air while shouting "don't shoot". According to police, some protestors threw bottles at the officers, prompting the use of tear gas to disperse the crowd.[38] The following day, a heavily-armed SWAT team of around 70 officers at arrived at a protest demanding that protesters disperse.[39] Huffington Post reporter Ryan Reilly and Washington Post reporter Wesley Lowery were arrested at a nearby McDonald's when SWAT officers attempted to shut down the restaurant. They were later released.[40][41]

    Protesters have believed to have taken 50% control of the city on August 13.[42]

    A hacktivist group claiming an association with Anonymous and operating under the codename "Operation Ferguson" organized cyberprotests by setting up a web site and a Twitter account.[35] The group promised that if any protesters were harassed or harmed, they would attack the city's servers and computers, taking them off line.[35] City officials said that e-mail systems were targeted and phones died, while the Internet crashed at the City Hall.[35][43] Members of Anonymous corresponding with Mother Jones said that they are working on confirming the identity of the police officer who shot Brown and will release his name as soon as they do.[44]

    Riots, vandalism, and looting

    On August 10, a day of vigils began peacefully, but some crowd members started to behave in an unruly manner after the candlelight vigil. Local police stations assembled approximately 150 officers in riot gear.[45] The crowd then began looting businesses, vandalizing vehicles and confronting police who sought to block off access to several areas of the city.[46] At least 12 businesses were looted or vandalized, a gas station was set on fire, and police arrested over 30 people afterwards. Many windows were broken and several nearby businesses closed on Monday.[47] The people arrested face charges of assault, burglary and theft. Police used a variety of equipment, including riot gear and helicopters, to disperse the crowd by 2 a.m.[48] Two police officers suffered minor injuries during the events.[49]

    On August 11, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd at the shell of the QuikTrip[48] convenience store burnt out the night before. According to reports, gunshots were fired in Ferguson and five people were arrested.[15][50]

    Between August 12 and 13, police officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets at lines of protesters and reporters. On August 13 Antonio French, an alderman from the 21st ward of St. Louis, was arrested by police.[51]

    See also

    References

    1. ^ a b c Kesling, Ben (August 11, 2014). "Vigil for Missouri Teen Turns Violent". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    2. ^ a b c Lind, Dara (August 12, 2014). "Outrage in Ferguson after police shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown". Vox Media. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
    3. ^ Kirn, Jacob (August 13, 2014). "Michael Brown had no criminal record". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    4. ^ Green, Treye (August 13, 2014). "Dorian Johnson, Mike Brown Shooting Witness, Meeting With FBI And County Prosecutor". Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    5. ^ a b Shoichet, Catherine E. and Smith, Tristan (August 13, 2014). "Citing death threats, police won't identify officer in Michael Brown shooting". CNN. Retrieved August 13, 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    6. ^ a b c McLaughlin, Eliott C. (August 11, 2014). "Fatal police shooting in Missouri sparks protests". CNN. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    7. ^ Politi, Daniel (August 11, 2014). "Michael Brown: Unarmed black teenager shot in Ferguson, a St. Louis suburb". Slate. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    8. ^ Johnson, Dorian (8/9/2014). "Michael Brown's Friend [Dorian Johnson] Describes Shooting" (Video interview). CNN. Retrieved 8/13/2014. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
    9. ^ Blitzer, Wolf (August 11, 2014). "Violence Flares Again in Ferguson". Violence Flares Again in Ferguson. CNN. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
    10. ^ Trymaine Lee (August 12, 2014). "Eyewitness to Michael Brown shooting recounts his friend's death". MSNBC. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
    11. ^ Braden Goyette (August 12, 2014). "Lawyer: Police Haven't Talked To Michael Brown Shooting Witness". The Huffington Post. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    12. ^ Farrah, Fazal (8/13/2014). "Witness to Michael Brown shooting comes forward". USA Today. Section 1, Paragraph 3. Retrieved 8/13/2014. "The officer is approaching us and as he pulled up on the side of us, he didn't say freeze, halt or anything like we were committing a crime. He said, 'Get the F on the sidewalk {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
    13. ^ Jessica Lussenhop, "Why Police Haven't Interviewed Michael Brown Shooting Witness Dorian Johnson", Riverfront Times, St Louis (October 12 2014).
    14. ^ "Eyewitness to Michael Brown shooting recounts his friend's death". MSNBC. 8/12/2014. Retrieved 8/12/2014. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
    15. ^ a b Fantz, Ashley; Howell, George (August 11, 2014). "Protesters fill streets after Michael Brown shooting". CNN. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    16. ^ Zagier, Alan Scher (August 10, 2014). "Missouri crowd after shooting: 'Kill the police'". Associated Press. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    17. ^ "Fatal shooting by Ferguson police draws angry crowd". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. August 9, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    18. ^ Eliott C. McLaughlin, "What we know about the shooting of Michael Brown", CNN Online (August 13 2014)
    19. ^ Von Drehle, David (August 12, 2014). "The Long, Tangled Roots of the Michael Brown Shooting". Time (magazine). Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    20. ^ Lauren Raab (August 13, 2014). "Unrest in Ferguson, Mo., after police kill man: What you need to know". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    21. ^ Jon Swaine in Ferguson (September 17, 2010). "Michael Brown shooting: police use teargas to crack down on protesters". The Guardian. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    22. ^ "NAACP says new witness to Michael Brown's shooting saw no struggle in car". August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    23. ^ Smith, Robin. "Another witness to Brown shooting comes forward; video shows graphic scene". News 4. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
    24. ^ O'Neil, Bridjes (August 10, 2014). "STL County Police Chief claims struggle with gun lead to fatal shooting of Michael Brown". The St. Louis American. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    25. ^ O'Neil, Bridjes (August 10, 2014). "STL County Police Chief claims struggle with gun lead to fatal shooting of Michael Brown - St. Louis American: Local News". Stlamerican.com. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
    26. ^ David Von Drehle (August 12, 2014). "Michael Brown Shooting Ferguson Police Stay Silent". Time. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    27. ^ Berman, Mark (August 11, 2014). "FBI opens investigation into shooting of Michael Brown". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    28. ^ "Killing of black Missouri man, Michael Brown, draws criticism". Newsday. Associated Press. August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    29. ^ Bissell, Grant (August 11, 2014). "Police use tear gas to disperse St. Louis looters". USA Today. Retrieved August 11, 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
    30. ^ a b c Bruce, Betsey (August 10, 2014). "Tensions still running high during Ferguson vigil for Michael Brown". St. Louis, MO: KTVI. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    31. ^ Newton, Jennifer (August 11, 2014). "Trayvon Martin lawyer to represent family of unarmed teen shot dead by St Louis officer as looting and riots break out after vigil in his honor". Daily Mail. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    32. ^ McDonald, Adam (August 1, 2014). "President Obama releases statement on death of Michael Brown, Jr". Kmov.com. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
    33. ^ Bock, Jessica (August 11, 2014). "Ferguson-Florissant cancels events tonight at district schools". Stltoday.com. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
    34. ^ "Schools cancel classes after police shooting". Kfvs12.com. August 5, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
    35. ^ a b c d Bever, Lindsey (August 13, 2014). "Amid Ferguson protests, hacker collective Anonymous wages cyberwar". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    36. ^ Lowery, Wesley and Berman, Mark. "Police wound man amid protests over Michael Brown killing". The Washington Post'date=August 13, 201. Retrieved August 13, 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    37. ^ Scher Zagier Alan (August 13, 2014). "Ferguson Seeks Answers After Police Shooting Of Michael Brown". The Huffington Post. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    38. ^ "Police decline to ID officer in Michael Brown shooting". CNN.com. August 13, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    39. ^ Posted: 08/13/2014 7:18 pm EDT (August 7, 2014). "Ferguson, Missouri Protest Of Michael Brown Death Swarmed By SWAT Team". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved August 14, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    40. ^ Reilly, Ryan (August 13, 2014). "All In with Chris Hayes" (Interview). Interviewed by Chris Hayes. {{cite interview}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |program= ignored (help)
    41. ^ The Huffington Post (August 7, 2014). "Huffington Post Reporter Arrested In Ferguson". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
    42. ^ The Huffington Post (August 7, 2014). "Huffington Post Reporter Arrested In Ferguson". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
    43. ^ Hunn, David (August 13, 2014). "How computer hackers changed the Ferguson protests". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    44. ^ Harkinson, Josh (August 13, 2014). "Anonymous' "Op Ferguson" Says It Will ID the Officer Who Killed Michael Brown". Mother Jones. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
    45. ^ "Protests near St. Louis continue for slain teen after riot, arrests". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL. August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    46. ^ Yang, John (August 10, 2014). "Looting Erupts After Vigil for Slain Missouri Teen Michael Brown". NBC News. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    47. ^ Barker, Tim (August 11, 2014). "Ferguson-area businesses cope with aftermath of weekend riot". Stltoday.com. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
    48. ^ a b "West Florissant explodes in protest of police shooting, more than 30 arrests". Stlamerican.com. August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
    49. ^ Piper, Brandie (August 11, 2014). "2 officers injured, 32 arrested during riots". St. Louis, MO: KSDK. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
    50. ^ Scher, Alan (August 28, 2010). "Police, protesters again clash outside St. Louis". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
    51. ^ Stieber, Zachary (August 14, 2014). "Antonio French, Alderman in St Louis, Arrested in Ferguson, MO Protests (+Videos)". Epoch Times. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
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