A young man is in a critical condition after being shot by police in Ferguson, Missouri, at a protest to mark the first anniversary of the killing of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. St Louis County police said officers came under fire from the individual, who they had been tracking, after an exchange of gunfire between two groups. The shot man, who has not been identified, is in surgery. Four officers have been placed on administrative leave, police said. The shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by white police officer Darren Wilson sparked demonstrations across America. It fuelled a national protest movement against racial bias by police. What happened in Ferguson in 2014? US Dept of Justice report on Ferguson racism Shots were heard at around 23:15 on Sunday (04:15 Monday GMT) as a large crowd gathered on West Florissant Avenue, at the end of a sombre, peaceful day of commemorations. In the early hours of the morning, police used loudspeakers to urge people to disperse, saying "this is no longer a peaceful protest". "We intend to use chemical munitions," the announcement said. Eyewitnesses on Twitter reported police using tear gas to disperse protesters. Earlier on Sunday, hundreds of people stood silent for four and a half minutes at the spot where Michael Brown was killed, representing the number of hours that his body lay in the street, unattended.
The police chief said the plainclothes detectives had been tracking Harris because they believed him to be armed. A young woman described by friends as the girlfriend of the injured man sat sobbing hysterically beside a row of shops opposite where he was shot. A large group of police in riot gear promptly marched towards the woman and her friends, driving them and protesters away from the scene as clergy peacekeepers pleaded with them to stand back from her.
The bursts of gunfire rang out at about 11.15pm near a block north of where protesters were squaring off with officers clad in riot gear for the first time during the largely peaceful anniversary weekend. Police, reporters and protesters gathered behind vehicles while others scattered. Dozens of shell casings were recovered by police.
The young man was seen by several reporters lying wounded and handcuffed on the ground beside officers. He was recorded on video by Tony Rice, a Ferguson-based protester and activist, who said he was arrested seconds after filming the scene for refusing to move back. A legal observer said Rice was released by police shortly after.
DeRay McKesson, a prominent protest leader, said he and several others ran north for cover after the shots were fired. “We heard bullets buzzing through the air,” he said. As reporters and photographers attempted to peer around vehicles, several officers ordered them to get down. “It’s not worth it,” one told the Guardian and journalists for other outlets.
Belmar said a 9mm Sig Sauer pistol that was stolen in Missouri in 2014 was recovered from the man who was shot.
St Louis County police later said two teenagers were shot at about 2.15am on Canfield Drive, the street where Brown was shot dead last year. Officer Shawn McGuire said in a statement that an “unknown black male wearing a red hooded sweatshirt started shooting at them from the rear passenger side of an unknown vehicle”.
A 17-year-old was shot once in the chest/shoulder area, according to police, while the 19-year-old was shot once in the chest. McGuire said both were treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
The police chief said the plainclothes detectives had been tracking Harris because they believed him to be armed. A young woman described by friends as the girlfriend of the injured man sat sobbing hysterically beside a row of shops opposite where he
maybe the police were disappointed at not having an excuse to use violence and understandably took out their frustrations.
In case any bigots read this that was sarcasm.
maybe the police were disappointed at not having an excuse to use violence and understandably took out their frustrations.In case any bigots read this that was sarcasm.
sorry to disappoint you but I read the guardian and the daily mail every day - I do like to get two sides at least to a story. sunday mirror at the weekend sky and Al jazeera - for news to got two sides again. hope this helps
sorry to disappoint you but I read the guardian and the daily mail every day - I do like to get two sides at least to a story. sunday mirror at the weekendsky and Al jazeera - for news to got two sides again.hope this helps