National
New Witnesses to Ferguson Shooting Describe Scene
In this Aug. 11, 2014 file photo, Lesley McSpadden, the mother of 18-year-old Michael Brown, wipes away tears as Brown’s father, Michael Brown Sr., holds up a family picture of himself, his son, top left, and a young child during a news conference in Jennings, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
(USA Today) – Newly discovered witnesses to the Aug. 9 fatal shooting of Missouri teen Michael Brown are corroborating other witnesses’ comments that Brown was taking a conciliatory stance when a police officer fired at him, according to new reports.
Two contractors standing about 50 feet from the shooting scene in Ferguson, Mo., and captured on cell phone video told CNN that they heard one gunshot and another then saw Brown, 18, staggering and saying, “OK, OK, OK.” Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson kept shooting and Brown’s hands were up, the witnesses said.
“The cop didn’t say get on the ground,” one contractor said. “He just kept shooting.”
The comments from the contractors are different from comments made by St. Louis County Police Chief Joe Belmar, who said Brown physically assaulted Wilson and reached for Wilson’s gun. Some witnesses also have said Brown assaulted the officer.
