An 18-year-old teen from St. Louis was shot to death Saturday night by a police officer who said the teen was struggling with the gun in the car before being shot.
Michael Brown was walking with a friend in the street, when an officer in his patrol car was exiting his vehicle. The unnamed officer said Brown pushed the officer back in his car, reported the Los Angeles Times.
Brown and the officer reportedly were struggling over the gun after he entered the vehicle. A shot was fired inside the car during the struggle. When the officer and Brown exited the vehicle, Brown was shot by the officer.
Despite the officer’s story, witnesses said Brown’s hands were in the air after he exited the vehicle. Dorian Johnson, who was with Brown at the time, said the teens were told to get on the sidewalk by the officer. Johnson said the officer shot Brown after the two exchanged words, reported CNN.
Johnson said the officer shot Brown, and once he “felt that shot, he turned around and put his hands in the air.” The boy said the officer fired several more shots after telling the two to get on the ground.
Another witness said that the police officer grabbed Brown as he was walking. Jon Belmar, chief of the St. Louis County Police Department, said that Brown was shot about 35 feet away from the car.
A riot occurred Sunday morning following the shooting, with people shouting “Don’t shoot me!” People also shouted "We are Michael Brown," and held signs in the streets. It was reported that people were also yelling "Kill the police."
Belmar said there will be a thorough investigation of the incident.