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Ferguson unrest: Obama says Missouri town must unite | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
President Barack Obama has issued a fresh appeal for calm in Ferguson, Missouri, saying the community must "try to unite each other". | |
Unarmed teenager Michael Brown was shot by a police officer in the town on 9 August, sparking days of unrest. | |
Mr Obama said Attorney General Eric Holder would travel to Ferguson to meet officials carrying out an independent federal investigation into the killing. | |
The National Guard has been deployed to support police operations. | |
Mr Obama said he understood the "passions and anger" provoked by the death of the 18-year-old, who witnesses said tried to surrender to the police officer before he was shot multiple times. | |
But he said giving into anger "by looting or carrying guns and even attacking the police only serves to raise tensions and stir chaos". | |
"It undermines rather than advances justice," he said. | |
'Objects of fear' | |
Mr Obama said he recognised that in many communities in the US a "gulf of mistrust" existed between local residents and law enforcement. | |
"In too many communities, too many young men of colour are left behind and seen only as objects of fear," he said. | |
But he urged the community to look for understanding, and seek to heal. | |
During his news conference at the White House, Mr Obama gave his support to the decision by Missouri State Governor Jay Nixon to deploy the National Guard in Ferguson in a limited role. | |
Mr Nixon has said the additional resource of National Guard troops has meant a curfew that has been in place could now be lifted. | |
Earlier, a former New York pathologist hired by Mr Brown's family to perform an independent autopsy into his shooting gave his findings. | |
Dr Michael Baden said he believed six bullets struck Mr Brown, two of which may have re-entered. | |
"All of the gunshot wounds could have been survivable, except the one at the top of the head," he said. | "All of the gunshot wounds could have been survivable, except the one at the top of the head," he said. |
Position of surrender | |
Dr Baden said there were no signs of a struggle, as abrasions around the teenager's face were likely from falling to the pavement after being shot. | Dr Baden said there were no signs of a struggle, as abrasions around the teenager's face were likely from falling to the pavement after being shot. |
He also believed Mr Wilson did not shoot him at close range as there was no gunpowder residue on his body, suggesting the officer was at least 2ft away. | He also believed Mr Wilson did not shoot him at close range as there was no gunpowder residue on his body, suggesting the officer was at least 2ft away. |
Witnesses have said Mr Brown was shot as he held his hands up in a position of surrender, while the police and supporters of Mr Wilson have said he fired during a fight with Mr Brown. | Witnesses have said Mr Brown was shot as he held his hands up in a position of surrender, while the police and supporters of Mr Wilson have said he fired during a fight with Mr Brown. |
The officer who shot Mr Brown, Darren Wilson, has been suspended with pay since the shooting. | |
Mr Brown's family have called for the officer to be arrested and prosecuted. | |
Another autopsy on Mr Brown will be conducted by the US justice department, in addition to examinations by Dr Baden and St Louis county officials. | |
Timeline of events | Timeline of events |
Are you in Ferguson? Did you witness or take part in any of the recent events surrounding the death of Michael Brown? Email your experiences to Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Ferguson'. | Are you in Ferguson? Did you witness or take part in any of the recent events surrounding the death of Michael Brown? Email your experiences to Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Ferguson'. |