Michael Brown
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After nearly a week of speculation about the identity of the police officer who killed unarmed 18-year old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Darren Wilson was named by Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson at a press conference Friday, August 15.
Wilson is a St. Louis area resident with no prior disciplinary incidents in his six years on the police force. He was reportedly treated for injuries following the shooting.
Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson speaks at a press conference Friday, August 15
Police claim Wilson, along with other officers responded to the area following a strong-arm robbery at a store in the area.
Wilson released a packet containing photos and documents to reporters. Brown is named in the documents as a suspect in the robbery, along with his friend Dorion Johnson. Surveillance footage of the robbery is forthcoming. CNN released stills from the video.
Photo allegedly of Michael Brown committing a robbery prior to being shot and killed by police.
Brown and Johnson are accused of stealing $40 worth of Swisher Sweets cigars, which are commonly used to smoke weed.
Dorian Johnson
Now here is where things got totally out of control and stories don't match up.
Police claim Wilson pulled up and stopped the teenagers. Brown allegedly reached inside his cruiser, grabbed him and struggled for control of his gun. A shot went off and Wilson had no choice but to use deadly force.
Many witnesses who saw the confrontation tell a different story.
They say Wilson blocked the two teens path with his cruiser, then opened the door striking Brown. Unable to exit his vehicle because of the close proximity of Brown to the car, Wilson reached out and grabbed the young man in an attempt to pull him closer to the vehicle.
At some point a shot was fired causing Brown and Johnson to run. Wilson exited his cruiser and started shooting at Brown. Johnson hid behind a car. One bullet hit Brown prompting him to stop running and turn around with his hands raised.
At that point Wilson continued to fire, hitting Brown multiple times, killing him. Brown was 35 feet away from Wilson when he was killed
Police left Brown's body in the middle of the street for 4 hours following his death before an ambulance arrived to take him away.
In the days following the shooting angry residents have taken to the streets to protest. Riots broke out on Sunday. On Tuesday and Wednesday 22 people were arrested and 5 shot.
A woman interviewed by CNN was skeptical of Chief Jackson's version of events. Do you believe that is Michael Brown in the video still? Is the cop's version of event's believable?
Ferguson Police news conference
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