The name of the cop responsible for the shooting death of unarmed black teen, Michael Brown, was unveiled Friday morning.
The six-year police officer was identified as Darren Wilson.
The shooting, which occurred last weekend, sparked a nation-wide uproar and investigation into what would have caused the officer to shoot the unarmed teen multiple times; resulting in his death.
Thomas Jackson, the police chief of Ferguson, Missouri, named the officer in front of a convenience store that was burned during the protests. He had refused to release the name for days, infuriating the protesters.
No prior disciplinary action had been taken against Wilson, Jackson said.
Michael Brown, 18, was shot to death during a confrontation with the officer on Saturday afternoon. Police have withheld most details about the encounter, including the number of bullets that hit Brown.
Brown and another man, Dorian Johnson, were suspected of taking a box of cigars from a different convenience store and assaulting a clerk just before the shooting, according to police reports distributed to reporters. The police chief described it as a “strong-arm robbery.”
Still residents are left confused as to why excessive force was used in an attempt to apprehend the teen. When asked why the officer’s name and identity had been kept a secret until now, Jackson told the press it was for precautionary measures as a result of threats made on social media.
Jackson also revealed that a 911 call about a strong-arm robbery was made at 11:51 a.m. After dispatchers gave a description of the suspect, the officer is said to have encountered Brown at 12:01 p.m. At this point, details of the events leading up to the shooting are sketchy.
Here’s an incriminating photo of Brown’s alleged encountered with the store’s clerk that was released to the media on Friday. The man in the white shirt, suspected to be Brown, is seen assaulting a man said to be the store’s clerk.
Police reports also suggest that Wilson encountered Brown and another man (Johnson) on the street. He was allegedly pushed by Brown and a struggle ensued over his gun. In an attempt to flee the scene, Brown was then shot multiple times.
Johnson, however, gave a different account of the events. He told MSNBC that the officer ordered him and Brown off the sidewalk, and that the officer grabbed Brown by the neck.
Johnson’s lawyer has since confirmed that Brown did take the cigars from the store.
Here’s a surveillance footage of the alleged encounter between Mike and the store’s clerk, very incriminating to say the least.
After watching the footage, does your opinion of Mike Brown and the details surrounding his death change? If so, please share your thoughts.
(Source: MSNBC)
