Multiple witnesses claim a Missouri police officer shot and killed Mike Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old, in Ferguson, Missouri, which is part of St. Louis County. While the officer has been placed on administrative leave, the community is in an uproar over the incident.
The shooting reportedly occurred on Saturday, August 9 near the Canfield Green Apartments.
Reports KMOV:
Witnesses tell News 4 that Mike Brown, 18, was unarmed and had his hands in the air when he was shot multiple times by a Ferguson police officer. Police have not confirmed those claims and have not released any details of the incident other than an officer was involved and that he has been placed on administrative leave.
Dorian Johnson tells News 4 he was walking with Brown when the officer confronted them and drew his weapon.
“He (the officer) shot again and once my friend felt that shot, he turned around and put his hands in the air,” said Dorian Johnson, a friend Brown’s. “He started to get down and the officer still approached with his weapon drawn and fired several more shots.”
St. Louis County NAACP President Esther Haywood told News 4 that Brown was shot once by the officer and then an additional nine times as he lie in the street. Police have not confirmed that account.
“He was a good kid. He didn’t live around here,” said Desuirea Harris, grandmother of the victim. “He came to visit me and they did that to him for no reason.”
A large angry crowd grew as new of the incident travelled, and additional police were called in.
Ferguson Police called for assistance from St. Louis County and nearby municipalities as large, emotional crowds gathered at the scene. In all more than 100 officers from 15 departments responded to the area. Tactical teams in riot gear were also called in. At one point, a dumpster was set on fire in protest of the shooting. A section of West Florissant Avenue near the scene was closed for a time on Saturday evening.
Through the afternoon and evening some among the crowds were yelling profanities at police demanding justice. At one point gun shots rang out in the area as investigators gathered evidence. That prompted numerous police canine units to move in and move the crowds back. At least one trash dumpster was set on fire.
An unarmed Black man getting killed by a cop; sadly, this is a too familiar story.
Brown had graduated from high school and was expected to start college in the fall.
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Photo: KMOV
