After almost a week, Police Chief Thomas Jackson has identified Darren Wilson as the officer who fatally shot unarmed black teen Michael Brown on Saturday in Ferguson, Missouri.
Jackson also announced Friday that the department would release video of a "strong-armed robbery" that took place in the area. He outlined events that began at 11 a.m. the day of the shooting and implied Wilson confronted Brown, 18, in connection with the robbery. Wilson encountered Brown at 12:01 p.m., Jackson said. By the time a second officer arrived at 12:04 p.m., Brown was dead.
The report Jackson distributed identifies Brown as the primary suspect in the robbery. It also contains still images from the surveillance camera in the convenience store where the robbery took place.
As the Washington Post's Wesley Lowery pointed out, Jackson did not release any information about the interaction between Brown and Wilson.
Info handed out ONLY about alleged robbery. NO info included about interaction with Officer Wilson, the shooting.
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 15, 2014
Not handed out: a use of force report, any police report written by Officer Wilson, any narrative of shooting
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) August 15, 2014
Jackson confirmed that Wilson is a six-year veteran of the force with no history of disciplinary action. He also said Wilson was treated for injuries after the incident.
Although Jackson initially said the name of the officer would be released on Tuesday, the police department later announced it would not be releasing his name right away out of fear for his safety.
The nation has erupted in outrage and taken to the streets in largely peaceful protests since the fatal confrontation. For days, images coming out of the St. Louis suburb presented a harrowing picture of unrest as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters and placed demonstrators and journalists under arrest.
The climate in Ferguson has changed drastically since Thursday, when President Barack Obama condemned authorities' use of excessive force and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (D) called in the state's highway patrol to take over supervision of the suburb.
“I’m pleased that the people of Ferguson and the region began to get some long-overdue information today, and I will continue to call for openness and transparency as the parallel investigations into this tragedy proceed to their necessary conclusions," Nixon said in a statement Friday, shortly after Jackson's press conference.
"For the sake of the family, the citizens of Ferguson, and the entire region, it is vital that the investigations into the shooting death of Michael Brown move forward in a thorough, open and transparent manner to ensure that trust is restored and justice is done," he added.
Police said Brown was shot multiple times Saturday after being confronted by a white officer. Authorities initially offered vague details about the confrontation but said the officer involved had been placed on administrative leave. The FBI opened an investigation into Brown's death on Monday.
08/26/2014 7:49 AM EDT
The Toll On Michael Brown's Family
USA Today's Yamiche Alcindor provides an intimate look at how Michael Brown's parents have been dealing with the loss of their son:
Phones constantly ring with reporters asking for interviews or family members offering support. Last week, as demands reached a tipping point, both parents moved into hotels to shield themselves.
In the days leading up to the funeral, Brown's mother continued to cry and spoke in whispers as she tried to explain her feelings.
"They say tomorrow is going to be the hardest day, but I think today was — just seeing my baby laying there, cold," Lesley McSpadden, 34, told USA TODAY. "It did something to my heart. It's too much. It's too much."
08/26/2014 7:44 AM EDT
New Audio Allegedly Captures Moment Michael Brown Was Shot
New audio has surfaced that allegedly captures the moment when Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot dead by Darren Wilson, a white police officer, on Aug. 9.
CNN aired the unverified recording on Monday night. Six shots can be heard, followed by a pause, then several more. A private autopsy performed on Aug. 17 at the request of Brown's family found that the 18-year-old was shot 6 times, including twice in the head.
08/25/2014 12:58 PM EDT
Al Sharpton: America, It's Time To Deal With Policing
Al Sharpton: America, it's time to deal with policing. We are not the haters we are the healers. #MikeBrown #MikeBrownFuneral
— HuffPost BlackVoices (@blackvoices) August 25, 201408/25/2014 12:53 PM EDT
Al Sharpton: All Of Us Are Required To Respond
Rev. Al Sharpton: All of us are required to respond to this #MikeBrownfuneral
— HuffPost BlackVoices (@blackvoices) August 25, 201408/25/2014 12:48 PM EDT
Benjamin Crump: We Will Not Accept Three-Fifths Justice For Michael Brown
Benjamin Crump: We will not accept 3/5 justice, we demand equal justice for #MikeBrown #MikeBrownFuneral
— HuffPost BlackVoices (@blackvoices) August 25, 201408/25/2014 12:28 PM EDT
Funeral Program Includes Tribute From Michael Brown's Parents
USA Today reporter, Yamiche Alcindor shares photo of program which includes tributes to Michael Brown from his mother and father
The program includes tributes from both the mother and father of #MichaelBrown pic.twitter.com/CbAPy8xKEq
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 25, 201408/25/2014 12:22 PM EDT
Michael Brown's Stepmother: He Prophesied His Own Death
Stepmother of #MichaelBrown said the late teen "pretty much prophesied his own death and didn't realize it."
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 25, 201408/25/2014 12:16 PM EDT
Michael Brown Had Been Dreaming About Death
#MikeBrown's best friend speaking. Says not long before his death, he admitted that he had been dreaming about death. #MikeBrownfuneral
— T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) August 25, 201408/25/2014 11:57 AM EDT
Program For The Funeral
The program for the funeral of #MichaelBrown pic.twitter.com/PKzGgC20Yl
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 25, 2014Funeral program includes photos of #MichaelBrown from several stages of life pic.twitter.com/fjhaqu26Xm
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 25, 201408/25/2014 11:14 AM EDT
Public Still Trying To Get Inside Church
Folks still trying to get inside at #MichaelBrown funeral. pic.twitter.com/cwKo3ILkuI
— Doug Moore (@dougwmoore) August 25, 2014