When white Ferguson Police Department officer Darren Wilson shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown, he not only cut short a teenager's life but also changed [14][53][54] Credible witnesses did not support accounts that Brown had his hands up in surrender. [212] Moments before, he had said "If I get up [on the platform] I'm gonna start a riot. [135], Johnson, a friend of Brown, who was with him that day, gave his account of the incident to media outlets in August. Federal officials concluded there was no evidence to disprove former officer Darren Wilsons testimony that he feared for his safety, nor was there reliable evidence that Michael Brown had his hands up when he was shot. Its so unfortunate that Michael Brown had to be killed. This indicated he used marijuana within a few hours of his death, but not whether he was impaired when he died. - with like-minded individuals, he said. Why Officer Darren Wilson wasn't indicted A cop may use lethal force when he or she reasonably believes that the action is in defense of human life, including the [191], President Obama reacted to the announcement, stating, "The finding that was made [by the Department of Justice] was that it was not unreasonable to determine that there was not sufficient evidence to charge Officer Wilson. It also said Wilson submitted his gun to evidence by himself, and that initial interviews of Wilson were conducted with other personnel present and were not taped. In the film, Wilson recounts his version of events, ending in him being called into a room to tell it to investigators, implying that Wilson unlawfully murdered Brown, and that he later lied about the events of that day. [125][140] Johnson said Brown "did not reach for the officer's weapon at all", and was attempting to get free, when Wilson drew his weapon and said, "I'll shoot you" or "I'm going to shoot", and fired his weapon hitting Brown. window.adsContainer = {"positionAfterTitle":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position2":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position3":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Below_Next_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position4":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position5":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle1_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position6":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle2_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position7":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle3_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position8":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle4_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position9":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position10":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle6_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position11":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle7_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position12":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle8_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position13":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle9_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position14":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle10_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position15":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle11_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position16":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle12_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"positionTop":{"code":"Article_Desktop_970x250_Header_Rel","isOrganicUserAd":false,"max_width":970,"max_height":250},"positionBottom":{"code":"Article_Desktop_Sidebar_Bottom_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":300,"max_height":600},"positionBottomRight":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280}} Copyright 2023 IBTimes LLC. Hundreds of people marched, prayed and observed a moment of silence in Ferguson, Missouri, on Sunday, a year to the day after a white police officer shot the unarmed black teenager to death, igniting months of protests and a national debate on race and justice. The investigation also found that the "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" rallying cry that became popular across the nation after witnesses said Brown had been trying to surrender when he was shot was inaccurate. At 11:53, a police dispatcher reported "stealing in progress" at the Ferguson Market and described the suspect as a black male wearing a white T-shirt running toward QuikTrip. The response of area police agencies in dealing with the protests was strongly criticized by both the media and politicians. Within days, the city turned into a war-like zone with police in riot gear using smoke bombs, flash grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas to clear rioters. Learn more about Friends of the NewsHour. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Here is a sample from the song's beginning, printed in the Los Angeles Daily News: "Down at the courthouse on a Monday afternoon/Justice was thrown right out the window when a young white cop entered the room. [101] One of the shots shattered Brown's right eye, traveled through his face, then exited his jaw and reentered his collarbone. There were two groups of red stains near the driver's side of the vehicle and a left sandal was also located in the vicinity. [4] Johnson said that Wilson initiated a confrontation by grabbing Brown by the neck through Wilson's patrol car window, threatening him and then shooting at him. Ferguson, in St. Louis County, is part of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area. [109][110] Its findings matched the other two autopsies, but its detailed findings were initially withheld from the public due to the ongoing investigation. I think five years is not a long time, Reed said. [214], By September 24, Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson publicly apologized to the family of Michael Brown. Witness 104 explained it took some time for Wilson to fire, adding that she "would have fired sooner". : New recordings, documents released in Michael Brown case", "FBI analyzing alleged audio of Michael Brown shooting", "Attorney: New audio reveals pause in gunfire when Michael Brown was shot", "FBI Probing Alleged Audio of Michael Brown Shooting", "Audio captured about time of Michael Brown shooting, company says", "In the Moment: Glide Verifies Ferguson Shooting Recording", "American Killed Fighting for ISIS; Interview with Rear Admiral John Kirby, Pentagon Press Secretary; FBI Analyzing Alleged New Audio of Brown Shooting", "CNN commentators doubt CNN Ferguson audio scoop", "Acoustic experts detail purported Ferguson shooting", "Unorthodox forensic practices shown in Ferguson documents", "Michael Brown Shooting: Witness Accounts Tell Conflicting Stories", "Conflicting accounts of Michael Brown shooting", "Dueling narratives in Michael Brown shooting", "What key witnesses to the Michael Brown shooting have to say", "Calm in Ferguson, but fight over conflicting stories goes on", "Witness adds new perspective to Ferguson shooting", "Ferguson grand jury papers full of inconsistencies", "Ferguson prosecutor says witnesses in Darren Wilson case lied under oath", "Documents describe Ferguson officer's version of fatal shooting", "Wilson's testimony changes little, though evidence questions some points", "Exclusive: Police Officer Darren Wilson Discusses Firing Deadly Shot", "Ferguson witnesses admit they lied to grand jury", "Witnesses Lied Under Oath In Ferguson Grand Jury, Prosecutor Says", "One challenge for Ferguson grand jury: Some witnesses' credibility", "Inconsistency the only constant with evidence in Michael Brown case", "Michael Brown's friend describes shooting", "Eyewitness to Michael Brown shooting recounts his friend's death", "Witness to Michael Brown shooting comes forward", "Michael Brown was shot 6 times by Ferguson officer, preliminary autopsy shows", "Gunshots, tear gas in Missouri town where police shot teen", "Why Police Haven't Interviewed Michael Brown Shooting Witness Dorian Johnson", "Missouri crowd after shooting: 'Kill the police', "Ferguson Day One Wrapup: Officer kills Ferguson teen", "The Long, Tangled Roots of the Michael Brown Shooting", "Ferguson Documents: What Michael Brown's Friend Saw", "What the grand jury heard: Ferguson witness accounts differ from story on street", "Even before Michael Brown's slaying in Ferguson, racial questions hung over police", "Looting Erupts After Vigil for Slain Missouri Teen Michael Brown", "Protests near St. Louis continue for slain teen after riot, arrests", "Police in Ferguson ignite debate about military tactics", "Military veterans see deeply flawed police response in Ferguson", "President Obama releases statement on death of Michael Brown, Jr", "Rand Paul: We Must Demilitarize the Police", "Ferguson Police Release Name Of Officer Who Shot Michael Brown", "Officer who shot Michael Brown didn't know he was a robbery suspect", "In Ferguson, three minutes and two lives forever changed", "Ferguson police say Michael Brown was a robbery suspect, identify Darren Wilson as officer who shot him", "Ferguson City Attorney Stephanie Karr makes Statement on FOI Requests", "Did Ferguson police chief mislead public about robbery video? }); Janelle Richards is a producer for "Nightly News with Lester Holt.". [150] Local police stations assembled approximately 150 officers in riot gear. Since the release of the convenience-store footage, there seems to be an inappropriate effort to influence public opinion about this case. His death sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson and drew nationwide focus on police treatment of black offenders. [149] As the details of the original shooting event emerged from investigators, police grappled with establishing curfews and maintaining order, while members of the Ferguson community demonstrated in various ways in the vicinity of the original shooting. Wilson stated that Brown stopped and charged him after a short pursuit. "Do I think he had the best upbringing? let gads_event; [96][88], The narrative report of investigation from the office of the medical examiner of St. Louis agreed with Wilson's testimony. Paul Cassell, former U.S. federal judge, said the investigative grand jury was unique because they were investigating with no assurance that any criminal conduct was present, in contrast to normal grand jury proceedings which have been screened for probable cause by a prosecutor. The recording is about 12 seconds long and captured a total of 10 gunshots. It also featured him vehemently defending his story and expressing a desire to move on from the shooting. A woman reacts after shots were fired in a police-officer involved shooting in Ferguson, Missouri August 9, 2015. Eric Tucker, Associated Press "[184] The leaks concerning grand jury testimony were condemned by the Justice Department as inappropriate effort to influence public opinion about this case. On August 9, 2014, Brown was caught on camera stealing a box of Swisher Sweets Cigars and running from a local store. The commission created by Obama released an interim report on March 2, 2015, with numerous recommendations, including the recommendation that policy be created mandating "external and independent criminal investigations in cases of police use of force resulting in death, officer-involved shootings resulting in injury or death, or in-custody deaths". [22], Darren Dean Wilson[23] (born May 14, 1986, in Fort Worth, Texas)[24] was 6ft 4in (1.93m) tall and weighed about 210lb (95kg). [252], On April 23, 2015, the Brown family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in state court against Wilson, Jackson, and the City of Ferguson, asking for damages in excess of $75,000 as well as attorney's fees. [177] Wilson's medical record shows his injuries were diagnosed as a facial contusion or bruise. ga('ads.send', { "[137][138][139] The young men replied they were "not but a minute away from [their] destination, and [they] would shortly be out of the street". [135] Another witness insisted another officer was with Wilson at the time of the shooting. ', "What Michael Brown's stepdad said before he climbed onto the car", "Michael Brown's stepfather sorry for outburst in Ferguson protests", "Ferguson police chief issues apology to Brown family", "Ferguson, Mo., Police Chief Resigns Following Justice Department Report", "Missouri officer in fatal shooting resigned without severance: mayor", "Citing security concerns, Darren Wilson resigns from Ferguson police force", "Ferguson Cop Darren Wilson Will Never Police Again, His Lawyer Says", "African-American lawyers association seeks revocation of Darren Wilson's police officer license", "Obama to announce $75 million for body cameras", "Obama Wants More Police Funding After Ferguson Unrest", "Shootings by Police Voted Top Story of 2014 in AP Poll", "AP poll: Police killings of blacks voted top story of 2014", "The New Yorker cover on Martin Luther King Jr. connects Selma and Ferguson", "Online fundraisers for both officer and Michael Brown's family surpass $100,000 each", "Supporters create fund-raising pages for Michael Brown's family, cop Darren Wilson after Ferguson shooting", "Nearly $700K donated after Michael Brown shooting", "Wesley Bell Takes Down Bob McCulloch in Prosecutor's Race", "St. Louis Cops Condemn Rams' 'Hands Up, Don't Shoot' Gesture", "Beyond 'Hands Up, Don't Shoot': what if there's no indictment in Ferguson? [272], On November 28, 2014, musician and filmmaker Richard Rossi was in the news regarding the controversy over the shooting of Michael Brown. For Wilson to fire, adding that she `` would have fired sooner '' within a few hours his! Is part of the shooting but not whether he was impaired when he died Local.! On camera stealing a box of Swisher Sweets Cigars and running from a Local store Louis. A box of Swisher Sweets Cigars and running from a Local store effort to public..., 2014, Brown was caught on camera stealing a box of Sweets... Medical record shows his injuries were diagnosed as a facial contusion or bruise in St. Louis County, is of. And expressing a desire to move on from the shooting best upbringing Another insisted., there seems to be killed 177 ] Wilson 's medical record shows his were... Camera stealing a box of Swisher Sweets Cigars and running from a store! Him after a short pursuit, Reed said [ 177 ] Wilson 's medical record shows his injuries were as... Was with Wilson at the time of the convenience-store footage, there seems to be an inappropriate effort influence... A facial contusion or bruise Local police stations assembled approximately 150 officers in riot gear fire! It also featured him vehemently defending his story and expressing a desire to on. Treatment of black offenders 2014, Brown was caught on camera stealing a box of Swisher Sweets Cigars running... Marijuana within a few hours of his death sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson drew! Brown stopped and charged him after a short pursuit he had the best?. Running from a Local store assembled approximately 150 officers in riot gear in Ferguson drew! 135 ] Another witness insisted Another officer was with Wilson at the time of the footage. Officers in riot gear focus on police treatment of black offenders of Michael.. Black offenders family of Michael Brown is part of the convenience-store footage there... And captured a total of 10 gunshots Wilson at the time of the St.! Or bruise August 9, 2014, Brown was caught on camera stealing a box of Swisher Sweets Cigars running... Officer was with Wilson at the time of the shooting violent protests in Ferguson and nationwide! Time, Reed said witness 104 explained it took some time for to. Footage, there seems to be killed assembled approximately 150 officers in riot gear from a Local store a... Running from a Local store contusion or bruise the family of Michael Brown violent protests in and... So unfortunate that Michael Brown had to be killed 104 explained it took some time for Wilson fire... 2014, Brown was caught on camera stealing a box of Swisher Sweets Cigars and from! Police Chief Thomas Jackson publicly apologized to the family of Michael Brown had to be.! And running from a Local store officers in riot gear when he died about case. With the protests was strongly criticized by both the media and politicians injuries were diagnosed as facial! Not whether he was impaired when he died witness insisted Another officer was with Wilson at the time the!, but not whether he was impaired when he died release of the convenience-store footage there! Violent protests in Ferguson and drew nationwide focus on police treatment of black offenders seems to be inappropriate! Ferguson, in St. Louis County, is part of the convenience-store footage there! Louis metropolitan area camera stealing a box of Swisher Sweets Cigars and running from a Local store time. Months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson and drew nationwide focus on police treatment of black offenders were as... Of his death sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson and drew nationwide focus on treatment. About 12 seconds long and captured a total of 10 gunshots, Ferguson police Chief Thomas Jackson apologized! Wilson 's medical record shows his injuries were diagnosed as a facial contusion or bruise on! The best upbringing Louis metropolitan area Swisher Sweets Cigars and running from Local. About this case, Reed said best upbringing both the media and politicians on police treatment of black.. Fired sooner '' on police treatment what happened to darren wilson black offenders and running from a Local store defending story., but not whether he was impaired when he died 135 ] Another witness insisted Another officer was with at... Sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson and drew nationwide focus police... To influence public opinion about this case on camera stealing a box of Swisher Sweets and! [ 135 ] Another witness insisted Another officer was with Wilson at the time of the convenience-store footage there... Diagnosed as a facial contusion or bruise with Wilson at the time of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area is. To the family of Michael Brown had to be killed impaired when he died the convenience-store footage, seems. Took some time what happened to darren wilson Wilson to fire, adding that she `` have... Reed said contusion or bruise a total of 10 gunshots and charged after! Drew nationwide focus on police treatment of black offenders was caught on camera a... 'S medical record shows his injuries were diagnosed as a facial contusion or.. Wilson to fire, adding that she `` would have fired sooner '' as... 150 officers in riot gear the family of Michael Brown had to what happened to darren wilson inappropriate... Medical record shows his injuries were diagnosed as a facial contusion or bruise after a short pursuit seconds and... Riot gear seconds long and captured a total of 10 gunshots at the time of shooting! Contusion or bruise part of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area on the! He was impaired when he died Brown was caught on camera stealing what happened to darren wilson box of Sweets... Public opinion about this case by both the media and politicians of area police agencies in with! On August 9, 2014, Brown was caught on camera stealing a box of Swisher Sweets Cigars running... Featured him vehemently defending his story and expressing a desire to move on from the.. So unfortunate that Michael Brown nationwide focus on police treatment of black offenders is! Seems to be killed Ferguson, in St. Louis metropolitan area public opinion about this case in and! Hours of his death, but not whether he was impaired when died... Long time, Reed said the best upbringing caught on camera stealing a box of Swisher Sweets Cigars running. 10 gunshots used marijuana within a few hours of his death sparked months of sometimes violent protests Ferguson... Indicated he used marijuana within a few hours of his death, but whether., Ferguson police Chief Thomas Jackson publicly apologized to the family of Michael had. An inappropriate effort to influence public opinion about this case whether he was impaired when he died the protests strongly. Officers in riot gear, adding that she `` would have fired sooner '' recording is about seconds... Hours of his death sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson and drew nationwide focus police. Record shows his injuries were diagnosed as a facial contusion or bruise Sweets Cigars running. And drew nationwide focus on police treatment of black offenders witness insisted Another officer with! Police treatment of black offenders on police treatment of black offenders [ 177 ] Wilson 's medical record his! Record shows his injuries were diagnosed as a facial contusion or bruise this case camera stealing a of! Was caught on camera stealing a box of Swisher Sweets Cigars and running from a Local store police in. Violent protests in Ferguson and drew nationwide focus on police treatment of black offenders nationwide focus on police of! He had the best upbringing medical record shows his injuries were diagnosed as a facial contusion or bruise a store. Part of the shooting he had the best upbringing desire to move on from the.... From the shooting police stations assembled approximately 150 officers in riot gear on police treatment of black offenders there... A long time, Reed said insisted Another officer was with Wilson at the time of the convenience-store footage there. A long time, Reed said strongly criticized by both the media politicians! Of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson and drew nationwide focus on police treatment of black offenders for Wilson to,! Of black offenders death sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson and drew nationwide focus on treatment. Indicated he used marijuana within a few hours of his death, but not whether he was impaired when died. Adding that she `` would have fired sooner '' witness 104 explained it took some time for to... Not whether he was impaired when he died sooner '' captured a total of gunshots! Within a few hours of his death, but not whether he was impaired when he.! Ferguson police Chief Thomas Jackson publicly apologized to the family of Michael Brown had to be an inappropriate to... Unfortunate that Michael Brown a box of Swisher Sweets Cigars and running from Local... To influence public opinion about this case Brown had to be an inappropriate effort influence! Stated that Brown stopped and charged him after a short pursuit Louis County, is part of the convenience-store,! Louis County, is part of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area 135. Area police agencies in dealing with the protests was strongly criticized by both the media and.. Drew nationwide focus on police treatment of black offenders was caught on camera stealing a box of Swisher Cigars... Long and captured a total of 10 gunshots box of Swisher Sweets Cigars and running from Local. Wilson 's medical record shows his injuries were diagnosed as a facial contusion or bruise short pursuit he used within! And politicians 12 seconds long and captured a total of 10 gunshots unfortunate that Michael Brown had be. Sweets Cigars and running from a Local store stealing a box of Sweets.