MEANWHILE….IN FERGUSON

If there were any questions as to whether America has begun to “heal” a year after the shooting of an unarmed black teen in Ferguson, Missouri touched off months of racial tension across the country, culminating (but not ending) with a night of rioting in Baltimore in April, they were answered on Sunday when a day of peaceful protests in suburban Missouri turned into a night of violent clashes with police on the one year anniversary of the Michael Brown’s death.

Storefronts were smashed, helicopters circled overhead, and after a glass water bottle and rocks were thrown at police, gunshots rang out. Although it was initially unclear who shot first, CNN now says a man with a stolen handgun “unleashed a remarkable amount of gunfire” when pursued by officers. The man was then shot and is reportedly in critical condition and undergoing surgery. Here, allegedly, is what happened:

When officers first saw him, he was running away after allegedly exchanging gunfire with an unknown person.

 

Some gunfire rang out as reporters were talking to Ferguson’s acting police chief, Andre Anderson. A startled Anderson continued speaking with a steady burst of gunfire in the background. Crowds scattered.

 

Detectives in an unmarked SUV turned on its emergency lights and pursued him, only to be shot at, according to Belmar. The bullets hit the vehicle’s hood and windshield several times, Belmar said.

 

As the detectives got out of the car, the suspect allegedly turned around and fired again.

 

Then he ran toward a fenced area, where he continued firing — until officers struck him multiple times, Belmar said.

 

The four plainclothes officers involved in the shooting have between six to 12 years of experience, he said. They have been placed on administrative leave.