Shots were fired at a Ferguson protest, which was organized to commemorate the second anniversary of Michael Brown’s death.
Protesters were seen hiding behind cars as gunfire erupted at the demonstration which marked two years since Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old teenager, was shot dead by Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson. His death sparked a nationwide discussion on the treatment of African Americans by police officers, causing a surge of support for the Black Lives Matter movement. After Brown’s death, protests in Ferguson and around the country occurred for months.
A man, Jacoby Thomas, was hurt n a hit-and-run at the protest as a car drove through a group of protesters blocking the street. Witnesses said the car hit the man so hard that he flew in the air and had to be rushed to the hospital. The car allegedly drove away without stopping after hitting the protestor. Moments later, shots were fired.
According to Ferguson spokesman Jeff Small, police responded to reports of gunfire, but found no evidence that anyone was struck by gunfire. He also reported that he believed the driver did not intend to hit the protestor.
By around 10 PM, most of the demonstrators had disbanded.