The shooting, the probe, the grand jury and the chaos
A St. Louis County grand jury declined to indict Ferguson, Missouri, police Officer Darren Wilson, who is white, in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch said on Monday.
Too many black people die in US police shootings THE VIEWS
TIMELINE
Aug 9 While driving a police SUV, Wilson encounters Brown and a friend of Brown walking down the street about midday. Accounts differ but witnesses agree there was a confrontation and Wilson fired multiple shots at Brown, killing him. Autopsies found that Brown had been shot at least six times. A couple of hundred people gather at the scene and five dozen police officers are called to preserve order. Brown’s body is left in the street for about four hours.
Aug 10 At least two dozen businesses are damaged and one store is set on fire when looting breaks out during the protests, according to police. Thirty- two people are arrested and two officers injured.
Aug 11 Brown’s mother calls for calm. But in another night of unrest, police wearing riot gear fire tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators.
Aug 12 President Barack Obama calls for reflection and promises a US Justice Department investigation. Brown’s father urges an end to the violence.
Aug 13 Police use tear gas in clashes with protesters.
Aug 14 After complaints of heavy- handed police tactics, Governor Jay Nixon puts the Missouri Highway Patrol in charge of security, led by Captain Ron Johnson, an African- American from the area. Protests are boisterous but peaceful.
Aug 15 Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson identifies Wilson as the officer who shot Brown. Jackson releases security video of a strong- arm robbery at a convenience store minutes before the shooting that shows Brown shoving a store clerk.
Aug 16 Nixon declares a state of emergency and sets a curfew.
Aug 17 US Attorney General Eric Holder orders the Justice Department to conduct its own autopsy on Brown. Gunfire rings out during protests and police disperse demonstrators with tear gas.
Aug 18 Nixon lifts the curfew and sends the National Guard to Ferguson. The Brown family releases results of a private autopsy.
Aug 20 A St. Louis County grand jury begins hearing evidence.
Aug 21- 22 The National Guard begins a gradual withdrawal amid two nights of muted protests. Aug 25 Funeral services are held for Michael Brown. Sept 3 Nixon lifts the Ferguson state of emergency. Sept 4 US Justice Department announces civil investigation of Ferguson police.
Sept 25 Jackson apologizes to Brown’s parents in a video.
Oct 21 Nixon says a special commission will examine social and economic conditions in Ferguson. The St. Louis Post- Dispatch reports that a county autopsy suggests Brown was shot once at close range in the hand, six times overall.
Oct 22 US Justice Department calls recent leaks of information, including autopsy report, troubling.
Oct 23 Amnesty International report says law enforcement restrictions on peaceful protesters violated international standards.
Nov 11 Nixon says violence will not be tolerated if demonstrations follow grand jury announcement in Brown shooting.
Nov 17 Nixon declares a state of emergency, allowing him to call up National Guard in advance of a grand jury announcement.