11 facts about the Michael Brown case

Michael Brown was an 18-year-old Black man who was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, 2014.

The shooting death by police of the unarmed Black teenager has sparked outrage.

Brown was allegedly walking home with a friend when he was approached by a Ferguson police officer, and then shot and killed.

Authorities say a struggle ensued between Brown and the officer which prompted the officer to fire shots.

However, several witnesses have come forward sharing different accounts of the events, claiming Brown surrendered before being fatally shot.

The untimely death of Michael Brown has caused civil unrest, nationwide protests and rallies in support of the Missouri teen and the countless others who have been killed by police.

One thing for certain, there are many things that are being said about this case.  Here are some facts.

1. Michael Brown was shot 6 times

An autopsy performed by a private medical examiner hired by the Brown family, determined Michael Brown was shot 6 times, twice in the head. Medical examiner, Dr. Michael M. Baden, has confirmed in a press conference that Brown was shot from the front.

One of the bullets entered the top of Michael Brown’s skull, suggesting his head was bent forward when it struck him and caused a fatal injury.

2.  Michael Brown was shot and killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson

Darren Wilson is a 28-year-old, six year veteran of the force.  It took seven days for Ferguson Police Department to release the name of the officer who shot Michael Brown. Friends of Wilson have claimed the officer is not a racist and was possibly fearing for his life when he fired the fatal shots.

Wilson has yet to publicly come forward with his account of the events.

3. Police and eyewitnesses tell different stories

While the police say Brown had a physical confrontation with officer Darren Wilson, which resulted in Wilson firing several shots, witnesses say Brown ran, surrendered and was then shot facing forward toward the officer.

One woman told ABC News that she captured the shooting on her cellphone, and that she had surrendered the device to authorities.

Dorian Johnson, the friend with Brown during the fatal incident, told MSNBC he overheard the cop yell, “Get the f–k onto the sidewalk,” before the altercation began and claims his friend was being choked. He eventually fled the scene.

“I seen the barrel of the gun pointed at my friend,” Johnson said. “He had it pointed at him and said ‘I’ll shoot,’ one more time.”

4. A State of Emergency was declared. Several law enforcement are now involved.

Source : thenation.com

The Governor of Missouri declared a state of emergency in Ferguson amidst protests.

Now, several different law enforcement agencies are involved in this case. The Missouri Highway Patrol are heading patrol of the streets which enforced a 12am – 5am curfew. Captain Ron Johnson is heading up the patrol. He has been seen on the streets of Ferguson along with the protesters. He calls for peace.  The National Guard has also been called in.

After the shooting, Ferguson’s police chief asked the St. Louis County Police to take over the investigation. They are the ones who are tasked with gathering evidence for a potential case against Wilson.

5. The police have not released an autopsy or any reports on their investigation on what happened the day of the shooting

At this time, an autopsy performed by a private medical examiner hired by Brown’s family was released, however authorities have yet to release an autopsy report which has already been performed.

6. Protests began immediately after the shooting with some met with aggressive police response

Photo Source : Newsweek

Protests began immediately after the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown, and Brown’s death quickly garnered attention on social media.

While most demostrations have been non-violent, unfortunately, there have been some violent protests that led to riots and looting of stores.

Non-violent protests continued on Sunday, but tensions began to rise between the demonstrators and the police, who deployed with military equipment and body armor.

When protests started, protesters were met with police by aggressive force.

Last night, a clash with police and protesters ensued hours before a curfew was enforced.

7. Police release a video suggesting Michael Brown was part of a shoplifting incident at a local convenience store, but that wasn’t the reason why officer Wilson stopped Brown.

Michael Brown alleged robbery

When police officer Darren Wilson approached Brown and his friend, they were walking in the middle of the street and Wilson told them to get on the sidewalk.

Per the Huffington Post, Wilson had no knowledge of the ‘robbery’, yet Ferguson police released to the public that Brown was involved in a shoplifting incident. Meanwhile, Brown’s alleged shoplifting involvement has nothing to do with him being shot.

8. Ferguson is a suburb of St. Louis, that is majority Black with a majority white police force and government

Ferguson, MO is a majority-black town. According to the 2010 census, about 67 percent of residents are black and 29 percent are white.

That racial makeup is not reflected in the town’s institutions. Ferguson’s mayor is white. Five of the six members of its city council are white. Six of the seven members of its school board are white.

9. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now involved

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is actively involved in the case. They have gone door-to-door in Ferguson, MO seeking information and more than 200 people have been interviewed.

Two days after Brown was killed, on August 11, Attorney General Eric Holder said that the shooting deserved “a fulsome review” and announced that FBI agents from the St. Louis field office would conduct a “concurrent” investigation into Brown’s death, working with attorneys from the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and the US Attorneys’ Office.

10. Family hires Civil Rights Attorney Benjamin Crump

The same civil rights attorney that represented Trayvon Martin’s family, was hired by the Brown family to assist with the case. Crump’s participation was announced during a press conference Monday, where Brown’s parents, Michael Brown Sr. and Lesley McSpadden, spoke to the public alongside Cornell William Brooks, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Crump has called for support of the community, and asked anyone with information to please come forward.

11. Michael Brown was in Ferguson visiting his grandmother

Michael Brown was in Ferguson, MO visiting his grandmother for the summer. The 18-year-old graduated from Normandy High School in St. Louis in the spring of 2014, and was preparing to start classes at Vatterott College, a Missouri trade college, two days after he was killed.

“Michael Brown’s parents expected to drop him off at college and celebrate his future,”

“Instead of celebrating his future, they are planning his funeral.” said attorney Benajmin Crump.