“You shouldn’t look at one thing and say this is dispositive, and it drives me nuts that people want to rush to judgment” against the police. He said, however, “I just don’t know yet”.
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Brown’s death sparked months of violent protests across the United States and spurred a nationwide movement to confront police violence against minorities.
Wednesday’s shooting came on the same day that residents were commemorating the one-year anniversary of the death of Kajieme Powell, who was also shot by police.
The #BlackLivesMatter folks think the police should be required to wait until the criminal actually fires at them before shooting back.
He was fatally shot by two St. Louis officers after police said he came at them with a knife. After dark, large numbers of officers held control of a two-block area of Page.
Both officers, who are white, were unharmed, according to a police report. Officers say Williams is not the other man who fled the home with Ball-Bey. Dotson said a witness told police Ball-Bey was carrying a gun.
Jerryl Christmas, an attorney for Ball-Bey’s family, told The Times on Friday that Ball-Bey was not at the house being raided and only fled when he saw plainclothes officers running in the back yard. “Many arrived angry because they heard a 13-year-old kid was killed”, said French, a prominent voice in the community who regularly posts information about demonstrations on his social media feeds.
Graham said it was impossible to tell from the autopsy whether or not Ball-Bey was slightly turned, or was twisting his torso towards officers when he was shot. When asked if the interviews would be shared with the police, Joyce said she does not know of the protocol, but would be willing to cooperate with police. Some witnesses have insisted, however, that the 18-year-old was not carrying a weapon and was shot as he ran away.
Altogether, police found four guns at the scene, including the gun dropped by Ball-Bey.
Police arrested nine people following the unrest. Two of the three remaining guns were also stolen weapons.
A report containing evidence gathered in Ball-Bey’s shooting will be turned over to the city attorney and the U.S. Attorney in St. Louis for review, police officials said.
“If he takes off running after pointing a gun at them, then that is someone a reasonable officer could believe will be a continuing threat”, he said.
At around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, someone set a mattress on fire.
“It’s nice for them to realize we’re a mom, we’re a dad, we’re siblings”, she added.
Protesters marched onto Interstate 70, blocked it and returned to the intersection, he said.
Dotson said police followed the agreement, providing protesters with advance warning and escape routes. “After that didn’t have an effect, tear gas was used”.
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Police released video shot from the perspective of officers, showing objects flying in their direction and the crowd running from the approaching police line with raised shields and sticks. “We have some of the most progressive policies in the country [to address officer-involved shootings]”, Dotson said.
