Prompted Post #7: Contemplating Controversy

       On August 9, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri, Officer Darren Wilson responded to a call for a robbery of a convince store. After driving around, he saw the two men, Michael Brown and his friend Dorian Johnson. He blocked the two men with his squad car, and an altercation ensued. When all the dust had settled, Brown was dead due to multiple gunshot wounds. What happened in that altercation, however, has sparked a serious controversy across the nation, and protests turned riots in the St. Louis area. We are here to review the facts that the Department of Justice has compiled from the investigation. You can find the complete report here, but I will do my best to give you the important details.

The people involved:

       There were three people in this incident, however the two we will focus on will be the officer and the deceased. First off, Officer Darren Wilson, a 28 year old police officer who had been in that profession for five years. This is him:

Image credit: www.thefederalistpapers.org

       Next, we have Michael Brown, an 18 year old man from Ferguson, MO. He was shot to death by Wilson after robbing a convince store. This is him:

Image Credit: Dailymail.com

Officer Wilson's Statement and others 

       Now since the victim is deceased, this is the only primary witness the DOJ has. Other people have alleged eye witness accounts, however, Wilson was obviously there. The DOJ report says that after Wilson stopped them, he tried to get out of the car but Brown slammed the door shut, keeping Wilson in the car. After screaming profanities at Wilson, he claims that Brown leaned into the squad car and assaulted Wilson, hitting him in the face. Wilson then managed to get off two shots, neither hitting Brown. Brown then ran from the car, Wilson in pursuit. Brown then stopped, about twenty to thirty feet from Wilson. He was "enraged and crazy" and started to charge Wilson, reaching for his waistband. Wilson, thinking it was a weapon, discharged his gun, making Brown stagger, but continue towards Wilson. Wilson continued to fire until his last shot went through Brown's head, just a few feet from Wilson.

       There were many witnesses to this incident, some disputing what Wilson said, some confirming. All agreed that Brown attacked Wilson inside his car, but where the story differs is whether or not he charged Wilson or put his hands up in surrender. Some said he initially did, then charged Wilson. The majority said that Brown had charged Wilson and did not stop even after Wilson fired his weapon, hitting Brown.

Forensics

       Forensics back up Wilson's claim, finding gunshot residue and muzzle burns on Brown's hands, which would imply that he was wrestling for the gun. There was also a blood trail in the direction of Wilson, which would imply that Brown was in fact charging Wilson while Wilson was firing.

Conclusion

       The court system found Wilson's actions defensible, however there is a wrongful death civil law suit still pending. What do you think? Please be rational and level headed. No need for this to become an argument.