Police in St. Louis have killed a 23-year-old man in a neighbourhood four miles from Ferguson where ten days ago police officer Darren Wilson shot six times and killed unarmed 18-year-old student Michael Brown, provoking further widespread protests, civil unrest and escalating tensions that show no sign of abating between demonstrators, the media and increasingly belligerent law enforcement officials.
In those ten days since Brown’s death, a further seven people have reportedly been shot on the city’s streets.
The man, described by the New York Times as “emotionally disturbed”, has not yet been named but is said to have been well known in the area for having learning difficulties. Per the Times, the officers involved were responding to a complaint when they encountered the man behaving “erratically” and brandishing a knife upon arriving at a convenience store from which the man had reportedly stolen two energy drinks and a bag of pastries:
“Sam Dotson, the chief of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, said two officers… repeatedly warned, “Stop, drop the knife,” but he refused. The man approached the officers, knife raised, and was shot and killed after he came within three or four feet.“
protesters at latest shooting in St Louis say white cops responsible whisked away and replaced by black cops to maintain order. not happy.
— Chris McGreal (@ChrisMcGreal) August 19, 2014
It’s an account that seems to have been corroborated by eyewitness testimonies to varying degrees, with one neighbouring business owner saying: “The suspect was inside the store and was arguing with them. He was cussing them out. And he came out the store. And he was still arguing. He was hollering, ‘Shoot me! Shoot me!’ I did not know what he had in his hand. [Then] I turned around and saw him laying on the ground.”
Another eyewitness speaking to The Guardian added that, “[Shooting the man] was excessive. People said he had a knife but if he had a knife they could have shot him in the foot. Or tazered him. They didn’t have to kill him.”
In related news, Michael Brown’s parents have announced plans for a public memorial to be held on Monday; a grand jury will also convene and begin hearing evidence at an enquiry into his death on Wednesday. Whether anything will change as a result remains to be seen.
Photos by Scott Olson for Getty Images, who was arrested Monday after he declined orders from police to move on. The image above of Michael Brown’s sister, Deja (R), is by Joe Raedle for Getty Images.
