MO - Grief and protests follow shooting of teen Michael Brown

[JeannaT]

The photo was taken Monday night. See caption.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/13/u...tml#slideshow/100000003051653/100000003051666

Isn't it funny how everyone sees different stuff in that picture? It's like a psychological experiment - what do you see here?

I see an angry looking strong young man walking at a good clip toward a group of cops who have their guns raised. Looks to me like it's possible he wouldn't stop approaching even when told repeatedly.

 

[octobermoon]

Isn't it funny how everyone sees different stuff in that picture? It's like a psychological experiment - what do you see here?

I see an angry looking strong young man walking at a good clip toward a group of cops who have their guns raised. Looks to me like it's possible he wouldn't stop approaching even when told repeatedly.

I see a skinny guy with his hands up. I think I could beat him in arm wrestling.

 

[Sonya610]

he could be returning from the convenience store AND walking to his grandmothers house at the time of the incident no?

there are rumors around what you are suggesting but so far the reason for the contact between the cop and the guys has only been reported as being because they were walking in the middle of the street, not anything related to the QT... maybe its rumor, maybe it will come out eventually. at this point it appears it is a tangential issue imo.

There are apparently multiple sources reporting tags sprayed on that QT referring to "snitches", and the tags were multiple as well.

FYI for those that are not familiar with QT/QuikTrip stations, they are very nice large convenience stores that have gas. They pride themselves and advertise they are clean, well lit, safe for women, etc.... and they really are. Well lit, clean, a popular inexpensive lunch place with hot dogs, tacos, polite staff, clean bathrooms. I seriously doubt if that station will be reopen. QT will likely pull out of Ferguson.

 

[JeannaT]

I see a skinny guy with his hands up. I think I could beat him in arm wrestling.

Look at his face. He doesn't, in my opinion, appear to be backing off. Look again at the muscle definition in his right arm. If you're a woman, I'd lay my odds on him to beat you in an arm wrestling match in about 2 seconds.

 

[reedus23]

Everyone aware of the QT that was looted and then torched?

Various articles are now saying he was RETURNING from a convenience store (unlike the original accounts that said he was walking to his Grandmother's house).

"Snitch" was apparently written on the QT that was looted/burned down, I am guessing it may be the same convenience store that Brown may have been walking home from.

http://fox2now.com/2014/08/11/quikt...-fire-during-overnight-looting-near-ferguson/

Also note some members of the "community" have gotten coverage cleaning up that QT.

QT has a few hundred corporate owned stores, I do not believe any are franchised/privately owned (i.e. no personal vendetta). If the QT was targeted as a result of the MB death then apparently a LOT of local people know more than they are sharing.

I think the story has always been that he was returning from a convenience mart (I'd have to search, but I don't think it was QT) and heading to his grandmother's or his friends. Originally, rumors began that the police were saying he had robbed a convenience store(and possibly QT) and was heading back. That story had supposedly been debunked, including by the store employees (not a QT) denying it and further confirming that they never even reported a robbery. If QT was targeted, it was likely because people saw that misinformation as part of a cover up by police trying to smear Brown's name with what they saw as lies in order to justify the shooting.

I think the snitches get stitches is more about not reporting who the looters/rioters are/were.

 

[liljim]

There are apparently multiple sources reporting tags sprayed on that QT referring to "snitches", and the tags were multiple as well.

FYI for those that are not familiar with QT/QuikTrip stations, they are very nice large convenience stores that have gas. They pride themselves and advertise they are clean, well lit, safe for women, etc.... and they really are. Well lit, clean, a popular inexpensive lunch place with hot dogs, tacos, polite staff, clean bathrooms. I seriously doubt if that station will be reopen. QT will likely pull out of Ferguson.

i am aware of the rumors that surround this yes.

 

[Sonya610]

I think the story has always been that he was returning from a convenience mart (I'd have to search, but I don't think it was QT) and heading to his grandmother's or his friends. Originally, rumors began that the police were saying he had robbed a convenience store(and possibly QT) and was heading back. That story had supposedly been debunked, including by the store employees (not a QT) denying it and further confirming that they never even reported a robbery. If QT was targeted, it was likely because people saw that misinformation as part of a cover up by police trying to smear Brown's name with what they saw as lies in order to justify the shooting.

I think the snitches get stitches is more about not reporting who the looters/rioters are/were.

Well we shall see, I am quite sure QT has video cameras in all of their stores.

Also unlike other big stories where the "teens" past was hidden I am wondering if that will apply in this case. I doubt if it will.

 

[Tawny]

Isn't it funny how everyone sees different stuff in that picture? It's like a psychological experiment - what do you see here?

I see an angry looking strong young man walking at a good clip toward a group of cops who have their guns raised. Looks to me like it's possible he wouldn't stop approaching even when told repeatedly.

He's backing up. If he were walking forward, he would be 'leaning' more forward. His weight is balanced between the legs, indicating he is about to put all his weight on his back foot.

 

[reedus23]

Laura Hettiger KMOV
‏@LauraKHettiger
#BREAKING first official news release from #Ferguson PD since death of #MikeBrown @kmov pic.twitter.com/Z27k2DOm7J

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bu7fEcHIUAExfKX.jpg

Hope that statement helps. I've been bemoaning the peaceful protests being held at night from the beginning. The thugs use them as a jumping off point. Have to remove that jumping off point. I only wish Ferguson would have caught on to this problem sooner and issued this statement at least by Monday. Might have saved some destruction of property and saved lives Monday and Tuesday night.

 

[Tawny]

For comparison, look at the officer closest to the camera. That is what legs and body look like when moving forward.

ETA: the young man is pushing OFF of his toes on his front leg, the officer is putting his weight on his heel (catching the momentum of forward movement).

 

[reedus23]

Laura Hettiger KMOV
‏@LauraKHettiger
#BREAKING first official news release from #Ferguson PD since death of #MikeBrown @kmov pic.twitter.com/Z27k2DOm7J

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bu7fEcHIUAExfKX.jpg

Hope that statement helps. I've been bemoaning the peaceful protests being held at night from the beginning. The thugs use them as a jumping off point. Have to remove that jumping off point. I only wish Ferguson would have caught on to this problem sooner and issued this statement at least by Monday. Might have saved some destruction of property and saved lives Monday and Tuesday night.

 

[octobermoon]

Look at his face. He doesn't, in my opinion, appear to be backing off. Look again at the muscle definition in his right arm. If you're a woman, I'd lay my odds on him to beat you in an arm wrestling match in about 2 seconds.

I did look at his face. I don't see seething anger. As you said we all see it differently. The photog would have the "rest" of the story had it turned out badly. imo

 

[liljim]

He's backing up. If he were walking forward, he would be 'leaning' more forward. His weight is balanced between the legs, indicating he is about to put all his weight on his back foot.

ahhh well in that case it looks to me like he is getting ready to flee, probably guilty of something...

...

...

...

...

see how that works?

 

[Sonya610]

Originally, rumors began that the police were saying he had robbed a convenience store(and possibly QT) and was heading back.

Also "robbery" means stealing from others in their presence, it does NOT necessarily mean sticking a gun into a cashiers face and forcing them to empty the till.

 

[Tawny]

ahhh well in that case it looks to me like he is getting ready to flee, probably guilty of something...

...

...

...

...

see how that works?

I'm not sure what you mean. I don't think back away from the barrels of multiple assault rifles automatically means someone is guilty... Are you referring to something someone else said?

 

[popsicle]

Brown's grandmother, Desiree Harris, said she saw him running in her neighborhood Saturday afternoon when she passed him in her car. Just minutes later, after she returned home, she heard a commotion and went outside to check on it. Less than two blocks away, she found Brown's body.
"He was running this way," she said. "When I got up there, my grandson was lying on the pavement. I asked the police what happened. They didn't tell me nothing."

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/missouri-crowd-after-shooting-kill-police

 

[popsicle]

Ferguson Police called for assistance from St. Louis County and nearby municipalities as large, emotional crowds gathered at the scene. In all more than 100 officers from 15 departments responded to the area. Tactical teams in riot gear were also called in. At one point, a dumpster was set on fire in protest of the shooting. A section of West Florissant Avenue near the scene was closed for a time on Saturday evening.

Through Saturday afternoon and evening some among the crowds were yelling profanities at police demanding justice. At one point gun shots rang out in the area as investigators gathered evidence. That prompted numerous police canine units to move in and move the crowds back.

http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Heavy-police-presence--270609091.html

Not to mention from the link I posted the other day, this same crowd was shouting "Kill the police" and shots fired at a helicopter.

 

[reedus23]

Well we shall see, I am quite sure QT has video cameras in all of their stores.

Also unlike other big stories where the "teens" past was hidden I am wondering if that will apply in this case. I doubt if it will.

That QT absolutely has cameras. Think they all do. Have been in that one and can say with near certainty that they do.

As for his past, another poster has said they ran a search and found nothing. I know I have searched now in St. Louis County and St. Louis City and I couldn't find anything that appeared to match. There's one with the time frame about right but the residence is in Troy, MO, about 1 1/2 hours away in rural/farming country. Doubt that's the right Michael Brown. The only other Michael Browns that I found that could remotely be related (anything after 2006 when he would have been 10) was tax related or stuff like that. If it's in juvenile court and sealed, we'll probably never know about it.

 

[reedus23]

Ferguson Police called for assistance from St. Louis County and nearby municipalities as large, emotional crowds gathered at the scene. In all more than 100 officers from 15 departments responded to the area. Tactical teams in riot gear were also called in. At one point, a dumpster was set on fire in protest of the shooting. A section of West Florissant Avenue near the scene was closed for a time on Saturday evening.

Through Saturday afternoon and evening some among the crowds were yelling profanities at police demanding justice. At one point gun shots rang out in the area as investigators gathered evidence. That prompted numerous police canine units to move in and move the crowds back.

http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Heavy-police-presence--270609091.html

Not to mention from the link I posted the other day, this same crowd was shouting "Kill the police" and shoots fired at a helicopter.

Thanks for that. First I've heard of any violence on Saturday. Would explain the dogs on Sunday.

 

[reedus23]

Also "robbery" means stealing from others in their presence, it does NOT necessarily mean sticking a gun into a cashiers face and forcing them to empty the till.

I get that. I hope I didn't convey the idea that the rumors were that he held them up at gun point. If anything, I always understood the rumors to be that he more or less shoplifted.