Appearance of Oath Keepers raises concerns and criticism
The Associated Press
ferguson, mo.» The return of an armed militia group patrolling the streets of Ferguson drew criticism Tuesday from protesters and the county police chief overseeing security amid ongoing demonstrations marking the anniversary of 18-year-old Michael Brown’s shooting death.
St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said the overnight presence of the Oath Keepers, wearing camouflage bulletproof vests and openly carrying rifles and pistols on West Florissant Avenue, the hub of marches and protests for the past several days, was “unnecessary and inflammatory.”
Belmar plans to ask county prosecutor Bob McCulloch about the legality of armed patrols by the far-right anti-government activist group, which largely comprises past and present members of the military, first responders and police officers. But Missouri law allows anyone with a concealed carry permit to openly display a firearm anywhere in the state.
John Karriman, a representative of the group who teaches at the Missouri Southern State University police academy, said there were five armed Oath Keepers at the Monday night protests and that an additional 45 or so unarmed group members were stationed nearby to try to help keep the peace. He said members plan to remain in Ferguson “at least through the end of the week.”
“A handful of us were visible,” Karriman, a former police officer in Joplin, Mo., who ran unsuccessfully as a Libertarian Party candidate for county sheriff in southwest Missouri. “The rest of us are behind the scenes.”
Meanwhile, St. Louis County police have released surveillance video footage they say shows the 18-year-old black suspect who was critically wounded after being shot by police in Ferguson minutes before he fired a gun at plainclothes officers late Sunday.
Tyrone Harris Jr. was shot after police say he opened fire on an unmarked police van. The shooting happened as protesters nearby were marking the anniversary of Brown’s shooting death by police.
Police on Tuesday released a 13-second clip of security camera footage from a West Florissant Avenue insurance office. They said it shows him grabbing a handgun from his waistband after gunshots ring out.
Police have said as many as six people who were part of two feuding groups unrelated to the protest were firing the shots. During the gunfire, Harris apparently spotted plainclothes officers arriving in the unmarked van and fired at them, authorities have said.
Harris was in critical condition Monday at a St. Louis hospital. County police and Barnes-Jewish Hospital were unable to provide updates on his condition Tuesday.
Tyrone Harris Jr. has been charged with 10 felonies — five counts of armed criminal action, four counts of first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer and a firearms charge.