So, an OFF-DUTY police officer decided to do a "pedestrian check" on a teen....and then shot him? What's going on in STL?
STL has a few neighborhoods who have this special tax. The tax pays to have an officer patroling the area. It is the same as the officers you see at sporting events. Those officers are technically not on duty either, they are employed by a security firm. As far as I know, they work in the same capacity as on duty officers.
So, an OFF-DUTY police officer decided to do a "pedestrian check" on a teen....and then shot him? What's going on in STL?
STL has a few neighborhoods who have this special tax. The tax pays to have an officer patroling the area. It is the same as the officers you see at sporting events. Those officers are technically not on duty either, they are employed by a security firm. As far as I know, they work in the same capacity as on duty officers.
Okay but it seems odd to me that they can wear their official uniform. If it's not the department they work for paying for their time I would think they wouldn't want their uniform associated with any action an officer might take while performing the 'off-duty' job.
STL has a few neighborhoods who have this special tax. The tax pays to have an officer patroling the area. It is the same as the officers you see at sporting events. Those officers are technically not on duty either, they are employed by a security firm. As far as I know, they work in the same capacity as on duty officers.
Okay but it seems odd to me that they can wear their official uniform. If it's not the department they work for paying for their time I would think they wouldn't want their uniform associated with any action an officer might take while performing the 'off-duty' job.
A lot of extra jobs require the officer to be in uniform. It is quite common.
Victim: 32-year old white male (St. Louis Police Officer with 6 years of service)
Suspect: Vonderrit D. Myers, Jr., 18-year old black male of the 4200 block of Castleman
The officer was working secondary for a private security company patrolling the Shaw neighborhood. As the officer drove past three males, one of the males began to run, but then stopped. The officer then did a u-turn, and observed the males run from the area. The officer followed the males’ path, through several streets, at one point exiting his vehicle, when he followed one of the males through a gangway. The officer observed the male running and holding his waistband, causing the officer to believe the suspect had a gun. The suspect then began to approach the officer in an aggressive manner. The officer gave the suspect verbal commands, instructing him to surrender. The suspect continued to move toward the officer. The suspect and the officer then got into a physical altercation, with hands on each other. During the altercation, the suspect’s hooded sweatshirt came off of him. The suspect then ran from the officer, up a hill in the 4100 block of Shaw. At this time, the officer saw the suspect was armed with what he believed to be a gun. The officer wanted to be certain what the suspect had was a gun, and did not immediately fire at the suspect. The suspect then turned toward the officer, pointed the gun at the officer and fired at least three rounds. Three projectiles were recovered going toward the officer, down the hill, with ballistic evidence, a bullet in a vehicle, located behind the officer. As the suspect fired at the officer, fearing for his safety, the officer returned fire. As the officer moved toward the suspect, the suspect continued to pull the trigger. Upon recovery of the gun, investigation revealed the gun had malfunctioned and had jammed after firing at least three rounds. As the suspect continued to point the gun toward the officer and pull the trigger, the officer continued to fire shots at the suspect, fatally wounding him. The suspect was pronounced deceased on the scene. The suspect’s 9mm handgun was recovered at the scene. The gun was reported stolen on 9/26/14. Per department policy, the officer has been placed on administrative leave. To clarify, secondary employment allows officers to work security in uniform and carry their department-issued weapons. The officer, while not on duty for the Police Department, still has the same responsibilities and power to affect arrest and the officer operates in the capacity as a St. Louis Police Officer. St. Louis Police Officers work secondary for securities companies, business establishments, sporting events, etc. The Force Investigative Unit responded and is investigating. The investigation is ongoing.
***Three St. Louis Police Department vehicles were damaged during unrest after the above incident.
2011 Tahoe - Damage to left fender and hood, broken tail lights
2013 Tahoe - Broken rear glass and side glass
2007 Marquis - Broken rear glass and driver side mirror, damaged door
***One arrest was made during unrest after the above incident.
Incident: UUW-Felon in Possession
Location: Grand/Russell
Date/Time: 10/9/14 @ 01:00
Suspect #1: 32-year old black male
Suspect #2: 35-year old black male
Officers observed the suspects inside a vehicle putting on ski masks. The officers stopped the vehicle. Suspect #1 was found in possession of a handgun. Investigation revealed Suspect #1 is a convicted felon and was taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing.
ST. LOUIS • An autopsy has shown that Vonderrit Myers Jr. was shot from five to seven times during a fatal encounter with an off-duty police officer Wednesday, police sources said.
Sen. Jamilah Nasheed suggested at a press conference earlier today that the teen had been shot in the back of the head, but medical examiners did not find any gunshots to the back of Myers' head, police sources said.
There were seven wounds to the teen's body, five of which are clearly bullet holes. Investigators still are trying to determine if the other wounds are exit wounds, sources said.
A candle light vigil for Myers at the market near where he was shot. After the vigil, the crowd of 100+ moved up to Grand Ave. this is a major street in the city. A few blocks north of Shaw (where shooting took place) is a highway. The blocked the intersection of Highway 44 and Grand. They did allow ambulances through. About 6 blocks north of the intersection they blocked is a level 1 trauma hospital and a children's hospital.
Then they moved south on Grand to Flora Place. Most neighborhoods in STL were developed around either parks or one street that is far more extravagant than the surrounding streets. That is what Flora Place is in the Shaw neighborhood. A group of 4 guys threw a brick through a front door. Flags were stolen and burnt in the street.
The police have stayed back, even moving a street back as the crowd moved towards them. Rumor is they are a few blocks over and with the brick throwing, they are in riot gear. They have not advanced on the crowd as of yet.
Lots happening in STL and Ferguson over the weekend. This was the weekend of resistance. Many protests, marches, and meetings in both areas.
Saturday night there were 14 arrests at a sit in at a city QT. The sit in followed a protest at the FPD, which turned into a block party and pissed a lot of the locals off. The did not feel that there was anything to celebrate and that the national activists were not understanding what they have been through the past two months.
Last night there was an interfaith meeting where a large amount of planned speakers did not get to speak. The audience became restless with the older, alternative agenda speakers and demanded the young people speak. The protest then net up at the scene of the Shaw shooting and marched to St Louis University. All was peaceful and no arrests.
Today they are back at FPD. Many arrests including Cornel West.
i heard there was a planned protests at the cards game but didnt see anything else. a lot of my white family were posting "its gonna get bad, real bad this weekend" shit all over FB IRT the cards game and "those people" trying to start trouble.
There were some last week at the Dodgers games, but I don't think anything Sat or Sun.
I admit, I feared it would get violent. There were a lot of people coming here and had no idea what their intentions were. It has been posted multiple times on Twitter and I completely agree-these young people have learned so much in the past two months. I will also say I got a little jumpy when protestors were so close to my moms house. But the control they are showing and the multiple reports of running the shit disturbers off is impressive. I posted they were a block away from her house, she found out the next day they marched right down her street, in front of her house and she had no clue. She slept through all of it.
One group of protestors are at Plaza Frontenac (a mall next to one of the wealthiest municipalities in the country) and another, larger group is inside STL City Hall. A little context, City Hall is a gorgeous historic building with a large central atrium with marble floors, and staircase. It is the loudest, most disatrious accoustical design. They are in there with bullhorns and whisltes calling for the Mayor to come out.
I can't stay up late on Twitter tonight, but there is a lot going on. The protestors go to one place, as soon as the cops show up they take off to another. Walmart, QT, the Rams game, Casino. They are wearing the police down and they are pissed. This is amazing. They have become much more organized and have been able to keep out the violent offenders. Let's hope that continues.
Post by sparrowsong on Oct 18, 2014 10:38:44 GMT -5
(CNN) - Forensic tests have found the blood of Michael Brown on the gun, uniform and police cruiser belonging to Officer Darren Wilson, who fatally shot the unarmed teen two months ago, The New York Times reported.
The teen's death on August 9 in Ferguson, Missouri, prompted weeks of racially charged protests that were at times marred by violence in the St. Louis suburb. Wilson is white; Brown was black.
Wilson has stayed out of the spotlight since the incident, and until now, few details have emerged publicly about his side of the story.
Wilson told investigators he was trying to leave his car when Brown shoved him back in, the Times reported Friday night.
Once in, Brown pinned him in his car and tried to get his gun, which made him fear for his safety, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed government officials familiar with the federal civil rights case.
The officer told authorities that Brown hit him and scratched him repeatedly, leaving bruises on his face and neck, according to The Times.
Gun fired twice in car
FBI forensic tests showed the gun was fired twice in the car, with one bullet hitting Brown's arm while the second one missed, the newspaper said.
In addition to Wilson's uniform and gun, forensic tests found the teen's blood on the interior door panel of his car, The Times said.
His account did not include an explanation on why he shot at Brown even after they got out of the car, according to The Times. A preliminary autopsy showed the teen was shot at least six times, including twice in the head.
Separate federal and local investigations are still ongoing, but the government officials said the evidence so far does not indicate that the officer violated any civil rights, The Times reported.
(CNN) - Forensic tests have found the blood of Michael Brown on the gun, uniform and police cruiser belonging to Officer Darren Wilson, who fatally shot the unarmed teen two months ago, The New York Times reported.
The teen's death on August 9 in Ferguson, Missouri, prompted weeks of racially charged protests that were at times marred by violence in the St. Louis suburb. Wilson is white; Brown was black.
Wilson has stayed out of the spotlight since the incident, and until now, few details have emerged publicly about his side of the story.
Wilson told investigators he was trying to leave his car when Brown shoved him back in, the Times reported Friday night.
Once in, Brown pinned him in his car and tried to get his gun, which made him fear for his safety, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed government officials familiar with the federal civil rights case.
The officer told authorities that Brown hit him and scratched him repeatedly, leaving bruises on his face and neck, according to The Times.
Gun fired twice in car
FBI forensic tests showed the gun was fired twice in the car, with one bullet hitting Brown's arm while the second one missed, the newspaper said.
In addition to Wilson's uniform and gun, forensic tests found the teen's blood on the interior door panel of his car, The Times said.
His account did not include an explanation on why he shot at Brown even after they got out of the car, according to The Times. A preliminary autopsy showed the teen was shot at least six times, including twice in the head.
Separate federal and local investigations are still ongoing, but the government officials said the evidence so far does not indicate that the officer violated any civil rights, The Times reported.
1. What does all this mean?
2. Does the underlined mean up until this point, or does it include all this new testing as well?
Post by sparrowsong on Oct 18, 2014 11:53:29 GMT -5
The trouble is I believe nothing. The lack of transparency in the beginning makes me 100% skeptical of everything that followed. why is this small bit of info about blood being leaked now? By whom? Why are government officials commenting about the civil rights case when the investigation isn't complete? And if there are two separate investigations, are they saying they are in agreement with each other? Basically all this does is raise a lot more questions for me.
(CNN) - Forensic tests have found the blood of Michael Brown on the gun, uniform and police cruiser belonging to Officer Darren Wilson, who fatally shot the unarmed teen two months ago, The New York Times reported.
The teen's death on August 9 in Ferguson, Missouri, prompted weeks of racially charged protests that were at times marred by violence in the St. Louis suburb. Wilson is white; Brown was black.
Wilson has stayed out of the spotlight since the incident, and until now, few details have emerged publicly about his side of the story.
Wilson told investigators he was trying to leave his car when Brown shoved him back in, the Times reported Friday night.
Once in, Brown pinned him in his car and tried to get his gun, which made him fear for his safety, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed government officials familiar with the federal civil rights case.
The officer told authorities that Brown hit him and scratched him repeatedly, leaving bruises on his face and neck, according to The Times.
Gun fired twice in car
FBI forensic tests showed the gun was fired twice in the car, with one bullet hitting Brown's arm while the second one missed, the newspaper said.
In addition to Wilson's uniform and gun, forensic tests found the teen's blood on the interior door panel of his car, The Times said.
His account did not include an explanation on why he shot at Brown even after they got out of the car, according to The Times. A preliminary autopsy showed the teen was shot at least six times, including twice in the head.
Separate federal and local investigations are still ongoing, but the government officials said the evidence so far does not indicate that the officer violated any civil rights, The Times reported.
1. What does all this mean?
2. Does the underlined mean up until this point, or does it include all this new testing as well?
3. Where are the other autopsy reports?
4. Fuck it all.
As I understand it 1. Violation of civil rights charge is next to impossible to get. It is a federal DOJ charge, and you have to prove above and beyond that Wilson shot him just because he was black.
2. I believe the local investigation was reported complete in the past week or so. They are finishing up the presentation to the GJ.
3. We won't see them until the case is over, if then.
(CNN) - Forensic tests have found the blood of Michael Brown on the gun, uniform and police cruiser belonging to Officer Darren Wilson, who fatally shot the unarmed teen two months ago, The New York Times reported.
The teen's death on August 9 in Ferguson, Missouri, prompted weeks of racially charged protests that were at times marred by violence in the St. Louis suburb. Wilson is white; Brown was black.
Wilson has stayed out of the spotlight since the incident, and until now, few details have emerged publicly about his side of the story.
Wilson told investigators he was trying to leave his car when Brown shoved him back in, the Times reported Friday night.
Once in, Brown pinned him in his car and tried to get his gun, which made him fear for his safety, the newspaper reported, citing unnamed government officials familiar with the federal civil rights case.
The officer told authorities that Brown hit him and scratched him repeatedly, leaving bruises on his face and neck, according to The Times.
Gun fired twice in car
FBI forensic tests showed the gun was fired twice in the car, with one bullet hitting Brown's arm while the second one missed, the newspaper said.
In addition to Wilson's uniform and gun, forensic tests found the teen's blood on the interior door panel of his car, The Times said.
His account did not include an explanation on why he shot at Brown even after they got out of the car, according to The Times. A preliminary autopsy showed the teen was shot at least six times, including twice in the head.
Separate federal and local investigations are still ongoing, but the government officials said the evidence so far does not indicate that the officer violated any civil rights, The Times reported.
1. What does all this mean?
2. Does the underlined mean up until this point, or does it include all this new testing as well?
Something that has been bugging me is the idea of this GJ deciding guilt or innocence in the case. Isn't a GJ suppossed to determine whether or not there is enough evidence to take a case to trial? This feels like the GJ is detmining if Wilson feared for his life or not and if that made the shooting justified. With what we know, there is enough gray area to take it to trial, but every commentator says there will be no indictment. Can someone with more knowledge of GJs and criminal cases weigh in?