Darren Wilson is named as the cop who shot Michael Brown
Police just identified the officer who shot and killed Michael Brown. Darren Wilson shot and killed the unarmed African American teenager in a St. Louis suburb last weekend.
Ferguson, Missouri police Chief Thomas Jackson announced the officer’s name in front of a gas station that was burned down during protests. Wilson has been on the force for six years, there is no disciplinary action against him.
During the brief news conference Jackson spoke of a forceful robbery at convenience store that took place a little before Wilson killed Brown. While he didn’t say Brown was a suspect, he is clearly trying to link to two incidents together.
Michael Brown and his friend, eye witness Dorian Johnson were crossing the street when a police car pulled up and the officer told them to get on the sidewalk. A verbal disagreement ensued, Johnson said. The officer then grabbed Brown by the throat and shortly after started shooting at him.
Johnson was interviewed by KSDK in St. Louis, where he explained exactly what happened the day Brown lost his life.
“My friend stopped running, his hands went immediately in the air and he turned around towards the officer, face- to- face,” he said. “He started to tell the officer he was unarmed and that you should stop shooting me. Before he can get his second sentence out the officer fired several more shots into his head and chest areas.”
As of Thursday Missouri Highway Patrol has been controlling security in Ferguson, days after riots and painful unrest turned the city into a war zone.
President Obama met with Attorney General Eric Holder and spoke of the “passionate differences” between protestors and police.
“I know that emotions are raw right now in Ferguson, and there are certainly passionate differences about what has happened.” “Let’s remember that we’re all part of one American family. We are united in common values, and that includes belief in equality under the law; a basic respect for public order and the right to peaceful public protest,” Obama said.
Youth minister, Kenny Wiley organized a vigil in Denver, and led about 100 peaceful protestors shouting out the names of black men who have lost their lives to the police. Wiley stated the death of Brown is evidence that young black men are facing “systemic inequality” that sometimes unfortunately means paying the price with their lives.
“It wasn’t in our city, but this is our country,” he said.
Michael Brown’s death comes not even a month after the death of Eric Garner. Garner was killed by New York City police officer Justin Damico after being put in a chokehold after arguing with police about selling cigarettes.
-Sara D.(@evolaras4real)
