Watch: Police Release Video Showing Moments Before Ferguson Shooting on Michael Brown Anniversary
By Phil Helsel. Police on Tuesday released surveillance video that they say shows a teenager appear to pull a weapon from his waistband before he was later shot and critically wounded by plainclothes police in Ferguson, Missouri.
The shooting of Tyrone Harris, 18, Sunday, on the anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, threatened to reignite racial tensions in the city that exploded in unrest after last year’s deadly shooting by a white police officer.
Harris is in critical condition. He is charged with four counts of assault on law enforcement, five counts of armed criminal action and one count of shooting at a motor vehicle.
The surveillance video, given to police by a local business, shows a panicked crowd running for cover and then a young man in a white T-shirt appearing to be holding gun running off screen and pointing the weapon. Police identified that man as Harris. The video appears to dispute some recent reports and witnesses who said Harris was not armed.
St. Louis County authorities declared a state of emergency Monday after Sunday’s violence. St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said the police shooting took place after two separate groups in the vicinity had traded a “remarkable” amount of gunfire — between 40 and 50 shots. He said those involved were “criminals, not protesters” marking the anniversary of Brown’s death. (Read more from “Police Release Video Showing Moments Before Ferguson Shooting on Michael Brown Anniversary” HERE)
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Heavily Armed ‘Oath Keepers’ Group in Ferguson
By CNN Wires. A day of civil disobedience that saw several arrests in Ferguson ended Monday with some rowdy protesters throwing rocks and bottles at police.
The St. Louis County police said frozen water bottles were thrown at officers, prompting them to order the crowd to disperse or face arrest.
“Safety, our top priority, is now compromised. This is no longer a peaceful protest. Participants are now unlawfully assembled,” the department tweeted
Police Chief Jon Belmar tried to deescalate the tension by speaking with some demonstrators, who then moved from the street to the sidewalks.
However, others were seething with anger as word spread that police had arrested a 12-year-old girl. Police contended she was 18, according to her ID. (Read more from this story HERE)
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