The first night of protesting since Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency and enacted a 12 a.m. – 5 a.m. curfew carried on until nearly 2 a.m. A group of protesters made good on a threat that they wouldn’t honor the mandatory shutdown of the St. Louis County suburb. Nearly all of them were peaceful, but according to Missouri Highway Patrol a faction out on West Florissant were armed and dangerous.
It was the latest turn in a dizzying sequence of events that have captivated the nation – incited by the death of 18-year old Michael Brown in the Canfield Green Apartments. The unarmed teen was gunned down by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer.
In the wake of Ferguson police releasing a video that they claimed showed Brown committing a crime, looters took the streets and hit several area businesses on Friday after a peaceful night of protesting the evening before.
Friday’s aftermath compelled Nixon to enact the curfew, which was met by mixed reactions.
Those who opposed took to the streets on its inaugural night.
There was a standoff between the protesters and police. Smoke then tear gas was deployed – but it was later learned the gas dispersal was not meant for those who defied curfew.
At a 3 a.m. press conference, an exhausted Capt. Ron Johnson, the Missouri Highway Patrol officer charged with leading law enforcement activity in the wake of the unrest, gave insight on the incidents that reportedly led the deployment of tear gas yet again tonight.
Johnson revealed that the tear gas was due to reports that an individual was in the street brandishing a weapon –and not due to the curfew violations with protesters.
“The operation began when we got intelligence that individuals were inside the Red’s barbecue and that they were armed,” Johnson said. “We also got word a subject was on West Florissant with a handgun.”
According to Johnson, they released smoke but the crowd kept moving forward. He said they resorted to tear gas in an effort to move the armed element back.
Johnson said that after the gas was deployed that the individuals dispersed – including the subject with the handgun.
He also revealed that a male victim is in critical condition after suffering a gunshot wound and “may lose his life.”
Seven individuals were arrested for failure to disperse as well.
“I’m disappointed in the actions of tonight,” a weary eyed Johnson said. “As many of you know, the crowds of citizens had been obeying and protesting. Earlier today that it was decided we would take a different approach.”
The silver lining seemed to be that with the help of heavy police presence in front of establishments – coupled with a group of protesters committed to keep the peace – there were no incidents of looting or damages to businesses along West Florissant.
“Part of our commitment is to public safety but also to the health of the businesses along West Florissant,” Johnson said. “It was effective we sustained the health of businesses and safety of protesters.”
