A turbulent third day since unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer is now underway.
On Monday evening, police dispersed a crowd of protesters who had gathered near a burned-out convenience store that was looted late Sunday by using tear gas and, reportedly, rubber bullets. This chilling scene, along with the brazen looting of several stores in Ferguson, is drawing national and international attention. The Ferguson shooting and aftermath has received media attention from The New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, CNN, Wall Street Journal, and many other national news outlets.
In a release, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said Monday that he has instructed Justice Department attorneys in the civil-rights division to monitor developments related to the shooting. Brown’s death has brought continuous demonstrations to the Ferguson area and has cast a pall of fear and apprehension over the entire St. Louis region.
The horrific story began on Saturday afternoon as Brown walked with a friend on a Ferguson street. According to St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar, the shooting “followed an altercation between an officer and two people.” Belmar said the officer was allegedly pushed into his patrol car and assaulted. After a struggle, the officer left his vehicle and shot at “a subject.” Police have not identified Brown as the man killed, but it was confirmed by the family within minutes of the shooting. The aftermath involves rage, violence, sorrow, and many, many questions.
Michael Brown Sr. and Lesley McSpadden, parents of the slain man, met with media members on the second floor of the Jennings Mason Temple Church of God in Christ at 2120 McLaren Avenue. They were joined by national NAACP president/CEO Cornell Brooks, St. Louis NAACP president Adolphus Pruitt, and attorney Benjamin Crump.
"He was a good boy. He didn't deserve none of this," said Brown Sr., who was wearing a T-shirt with the message "No Justice No Peace" and what appeared to be a photo of his son. "We don't want no violence. We want to do it the right way. We want justice for our son."
Crump, who represented the family of the late Trayvon Martin, was direct. "I don't want to sugarcoat it," he said. "This baby was executed in broad daylight. This child was shot multiple times and left like a dog on the ground. He was a non-violent kid. He was a good kid. Understand that this is not the parents’ obligation to ask for calm.
"We want the Justice Department to come in and help restore trust and confidence in the process of equal justice," he continued. "This family is very distrustful. This community is very distrustful. People are devastated that this happens again and again."
The family “rejects what the police authorities said at their press conference," Crump added. "The witnesses reject what the police said at their press conference.”
"Michael Brown's parents expected to drop off their son today at technical college and celebrate his future," said Brooks. "He had graduated high school. He was doing the right thing. Instead of celebrating his future, they are planning his funeral."
Brooks would also speak Monday evening at a packed Murchison Tabernacle CME Church on Natural Bridge Road. He pleaded for calm and an end to rampant theft and threats of violence. He invoked the name of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in pleading that people not become “thieves in the night” in pursuit of justice.
Earlier on Monday, County Executive Charlie Dooley and Belmar, who has been in his position less than a year, following the resignation of police chief Tim Fitch, discussed the violence and looting of Sunday night. He also pleaded for patience and peaceful protest.
"This will be an open and transparent process. It will not be a quick process," Dooley said. "This is a difficult and complex situation. There are many sides to the story. There are many answers. We do not have all the facts at this time."
"It's about keeping people safe in this community. But understanding that St. Louis County is going to do everything it possibly can; not just to keep law and order, but to show people in St. Louis County that we are on top of this situation," he added. “We understand their frustration. We understand their concern, and we are going to do everything possible... We want the public to be calm, be patient, and be prayerful."
With growing pleas for the National Guard to be called into the area, Belmar explained the police's actions of Sunday night. "Somebody might look at this and say, 'Why did the police allow this to happen?'" he said. "On the other side, it's a fair assessment to understand if the officers had taken a harder line on this very early on during the protest and we would have had acute resistance, that would have further inflamed the community.
“As it was, we had a tremendous amount of property damage on West Florissant," he continued. "As it was, we had no injuries or fatalities last night."
More than 30 people were arrested, including many who were caught looting inside a store.
Belmar also spoke of the impact of social media on the crisis Sunday night and as this tense situation continues to play out. "Fifteen years ago, 10 years ago, maybe even five years ago, we would not have had the issue with social media's impact on this crime spree," he said. "Because what folks can do as long as they are networked on the same Facebook site or Twitter, they have the ability to understand where they are all going to be and plan where they want to go next. It's a really efficient way to communicate. We began to observe that last night with the size of the crowds that were looting together. It wasn't just individuals; it seemed to be somewhat more massed."
Late Monday night, several car loads of thieves descended on a south St. Louis shoe store, smashed windows, and stole many items. It was unknown as of Tuesday if the crime had any connection to the Ferguson police shooting.
