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Michael Brown memorial protest: Photos show peaceful rally turning violent as teenager Tyrone Harris critically injured by police | Michael Brown memorial protest: Photos show peaceful rally turning violent as teenager Tyrone Harris critically injured by police |
(5 months later) | |
A memorial protest in Ferguson marking a year since a white police officer fatally shot unarmed black teenager Michael Brown turned violent, when an 18-year-old was critically wounded in a gunfight with police officers. | A memorial protest in Ferguson marking a year since a white police officer fatally shot unarmed black teenager Michael Brown turned violent, when an 18-year-old was critically wounded in a gunfight with police officers. |
Rallies to remember Brown went ahead peacefully over the weekend, until Tyrone Harris was shot by police at around 11pm on Sunday night on West Florissant Avenue. | Rallies to remember Brown went ahead peacefully over the weekend, until Tyrone Harris was shot by police at around 11pm on Sunday night on West Florissant Avenue. |
Earlier that day, Brown's father, Michael Brown Sr., led a rally starting where his son was fatally shot by officer Darren Wilson. A grand jury and the U.S. Department of Justice declined to prosecute Wilson, who resigned in November. | Earlier that day, Brown's father, Michael Brown Sr., led a rally starting where his son was fatally shot by officer Darren Wilson. A grand jury and the U.S. Department of Justice declined to prosecute Wilson, who resigned in November. |
Hundreds of people later gathered at Greater St Mark Family Church for a service to remember Brown, where the late teenager’s family sat behind the pulpit. | Hundreds of people later gathered at Greater St Mark Family Church for a service to remember Brown, where the late teenager’s family sat behind the pulpit. |
Before the gunfire, the mood at the protest became more tense, as protesters blocked off traffic on West Florissant Avenue. | |
As two groups exchanged gunfire at around 11:15pm, demonstrators and reporters ducked to the ground for safety. | As two groups exchanged gunfire at around 11:15pm, demonstrators and reporters ducked to the ground for safety. |
Police said that a man then approached four officers in an unmarked police car and opened fire, prompting then to return bullets from inside the vehicle. | Police said that a man then approached four officers in an unmarked police car and opened fire, prompting then to return bullets from inside the vehicle. |
The police then pursued the man on foot, at which point he fired on the officers and all four fire back, Belmar told reporters. | The police then pursued the man on foot, at which point he fired on the officers and all four fire back, Belmar told reporters. |
Officers dressed in riot gear descended on the scene, and police shot smoke to disperse crowds who had congregated, said Belmar. | Officers dressed in riot gear descended on the scene, and police shot smoke to disperse crowds who had congregated, said Belmar. |
Tyrone Harris' father later told the St Louis Post-Dispatch that his son was the victim of the shooting. | Tyrone Harris' father later told the St Louis Post-Dispatch that his son was the victim of the shooting. |
The teenager has since received emergency surgery at hospital. He is in an “unstable, critical” condition, according to Belmar, who said the officers involved have been put on administrative leave. | The teenager has since received emergency surgery at hospital. He is in an “unstable, critical” condition, according to Belmar, who said the officers involved have been put on administrative leave. |
“They were criminals. They weren't protesters,” Belmar said of those engaged in the gunfight prior which took place before police shot Harris. | “They were criminals. They weren't protesters,” Belmar said of those engaged in the gunfight prior which took place before police shot Harris. |
“There is a small group of people out there that are intent on making sure that peace doesn't prevail,” he said. “There are a lot of emotions. I get it. But we can't sustain this as we move forward.” | |
But Tyrone Harris Senior appeared sceptical, and told the St Louis Post-Dispatch: "We think there's a lot more to this than what's being said". | |
By the early hours of Sunday morning, five people had been arrested according to police spokesman Officer Shawn McGuire, after one person threw a glass bottle at officers; an officer was treated for cuts; and two officers were pepper-sprayed by protesters. | By the early hours of Sunday morning, five people had been arrested according to police spokesman Officer Shawn McGuire, after one person threw a glass bottle at officers; an officer was treated for cuts; and two officers were pepper-sprayed by protesters. |
Additional reporting by Reuters | Additional reporting by Reuters |
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