Events of Ferguson Missouri

2014-08-16T09:51:38-04:00

Just wondering what folks have to say regarding the recent events in Ferguson Missouri. The events include the police shooting of Michael Brown, rioting, and increasing police force in a military fashion and armed to the hilt. Also, ironically, recent video has surfaced of Mr. Brown allegedly shoplifting a box of cigars and allegedly assaulting the clerk. This happened minutes before he was shot.

Response by 1LT Shawn McCarthy made Aug 22 at 2014 8:36 PM

2014-08-22T20:36:37-04:00

I am from St. Louis and have been following this VERY closely.
The main problem here is that we don't know all the facts, yet a segment of the population has condemned the police officer and all but convicted him already, primarily on the basis that he is white and Brown is black.
This was screwed up from the first reporting that a "kid" had been shot.
"Kid" conjures up images of smaller people, legally dependent on someone else.
Brown was 18, thus a legal adult, and 6'5" almost 300 lbs. The term "kid" was inaccurate and inflammatory.

Here is what we know:
- Brown committed strong-arm robbery of a $50 box of cigars a few minutes before the shooting.
- Brown was not carrying a weapon.
- Officer Wilson was not dispatched to look for the suspects in the robbery and, at least when he initially approached Brown, he was unaware of the robbery. There is word that Wilson heard the BOLO and suspect description after his initial encounter with Brown, which triggered further engagement, but this has NOT been substantiated.
- There was a struggle at the vehicle, which may or may not have resulted in a discharge of Wilson's service weapon. Autopsy confirms that Brown suffered no apparent injuries in this struggle. Wilson was injured, but the extent is unclear. Reports of an orbital socket fracture have been drawn into question, but he did apparently suffer some damage.
- Brown was shot approximately 6 times. According to the autopsy all the shots entered from the front, yet one of the MEs claimed that one of the shots could have come with Brown facing away from Wilson, depending on the orientation of his arms.
- 4 of the wounds were non-life threatening, the final 2 would have both been fatal; a shot into the right eye and a shot into the forward part of the forehead.
- Dorian Johnson, the 22 year-old with Brown, has a record including false reports, weapons charges and drug convictions, as well as an open warrant in Jefferson City. He has not (yet) been implicated in any illegal action in this incident.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Sep 9 at 2014 11:17 AM

2014-09-09T11:17:34-04:00

We can speculate til the cows come home. With out facts and evidence that are not circumstantial, all we have is heresay. Does the witnesses have a grudge one way or the other? A lot of things have to be considered. Is the officer racist? Is the "kid" a habitual criminal? Does he have domestic violence on his rap sheet?
Well, we will just have to keep speculating until more hard info is brought to light.

Response by SrA Marc Haynes made Oct 25 at 2014 11:55 PM

2014-10-25T23:55:37-04:00

I am currently living in the StL metropolitan area. I have heard many variations of the same events. I know Fetguson quite well. Fetguson is a beautiful city with numerous beautiful homes. I also know that the area the shooting occurred has in the past has had a lot of drug activity.

However I was not there and do not know the true facts., nor do 99% of the people flapping their lips on both sides. In my line of work I deal with evidence. The truth will come out. However I do not know if the truth will calm the situation.

I personally know one of the protesters. I know their are systemic problems in that city and in many of the areas in St. Louis. They are not being addressed and therefore the anger will not be alleviated until they are resolved.

I confronted my friend when the flag was burned. I have many friends that have died for that flag and will never condone any movement that desecrates the flag of our country.

The grand jury is winding down. It is not looking good for those opposing the police officer's action. School districts around the area are informing parents of the possibility of no school days if they they do not arrest the policeman.

So please pray for this area.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2014 11:16 PM

2014-11-24T23:16:13-05:00

There's already a post on this. Anyways, there are too many emotionally compromised people in that town who just don't care for true freedom or true justice.

Response by LTJG Robert M. made Nov 26 at 2014 2:52 PM

2014-11-26T14:52:49-05:00

I have never understood the mentality of "I am so angry I'm going to riot, create anarchy & loot & burn down someone else's business".

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2014 8:43 AM

2014-12-05T08:43:14-05:00

http://dailycurrant.com/2014/11/26/ferguson-protester-accidentally-burns-down-own-house/

That's so funny.

Ferguson Protester Accidentally Burns Down Own House

A protester in Ferguson, Missouri accidentally burned down his own house last night after mistaking the building for a convenience store. According to a report in the Ferguson Post-Gazette, 32-year-old Tyler Jackson threw a Molotov cocktail into a window not realizing he was setting ablaze his ow