National Guard Rolls into Ferguson, Missouri

18 Aug, 2014

The National Guard has been deployed to Ferguson, MO following days of civil unrest after the police shooting of an unarmed black teenager.

The state’s governor Jay Nixon said the additional resources meant a curfew currently in place would be lifted.

Michael Brown, 18, was killed by a police officer on 9 August, sparking clashes between police and protesters. An independent autopsy commissioned by his family showed he was shot at least six times, including twice in the head.

The officer who shot Mr Brown, Darren Wilson, has been suspended with pay since the shooting, and Mr Brown’s family have called for his arrest and prosecution.

In a statement, Mr Nixon said he had deployed the National Guard after a “difficult and dangerous night” of violence and looting on the streets of Ferguson.

He said the guard would operate under the command of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to provide protection, and ensure the safety of the police command centre which was a target for violence on Sunday night.

“I join the people of Ferguson, and all Missourians, in strongly condemning the violent acts we saw last night, including the firing upon law enforcement officers, the shooting of a civilian, the throwing of Molotov cocktails, looting and a co-ordinated attempt to overrun the unified Command Centre,” he said.

Earlier, a respected former New York pathologist hired by Mr Brown’s family to perform an independent autopsy into his shooting gave his findings.

The family’s lawyer Ben Crump said they had asked Dr Michael Baden to perform an autopsy as they “did not want to be left having to rely on the autopsy done by the St Louis law enforcement… the same individuals they feel are responsible for executing their son in broad daylight.”

Dr Baden said he believed six bullets struck Mr Brown and two may have re-entered.

“All of the gunshot wounds could have been survivable, except the one at the top of the head,” he said.

Dr Baden said there were no signs of a struggle, as abrasions around the teenager’s face were likely from falling to the pavement after being shot.

He also believed Mr Wilson did not shoot him at close range as there was no gunpowder residue on his body, suggesting the officer was at least 2ft away.

Shawn Parcells, a forensic pathologist who assisted Dr Baden, said a wound to Mr Brown’s right arm may have been sustained as he had his hands up, “but we don’t know”.

He said the wound was consistent either with having his back to the officer or facing the officer with his hands above his head or in a defensive position.

Witnesses have said Mr Brown was shot as he held his hands up in a position of surrender, while the police and supporters of Mr Wilson have said he fired during a fight with Mr Brown.

The autopsy team said more information was needed, including X-rays from the initial autopsy, the medical evaluation of Mr Wilson and an examination of the clothes Mr Brown was wearing at his time of death.

Another autopsy on Mr Brown will be conducted by the US justice department, in addition to examinations by Dr Baden’s and St Louis county officials.

BBC News 

Image Getty

Mentioned In This Post: