ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO - During a press release on Saturday, August 10th, authorities with the Ferguson Police Department (FPD) said that three officers were injured and several people were arrested late Friday night, August 9th, at a protest commemorating 10 years since the death of Michael Brown.
According to KKTV, one of the officers is currently hospitalized with a severe head injury. Another officer suffered an ankle injury and the third officer suffered abrasions to his body. Out of those already arrested, five people are facing charges. FPD Chief Troy Doyle said that the officer who is currently hospitalized with the severe head injury is Officer Travis Brown. Officer Brown has been with FPD since January 2024 and was previously with the St. Louis County Police Department.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that during the press conference, Doyle said, "He is in an area hospital right now fighting for his life." Doyle said that Brown, who is black, was part of a wave of black officers that were hired into the department since 2014. Back then, there were just three black officers in the department, but now black officers make up more than half of the police force.
The chief said, "He wanted to be part of the change. He wanted to make an impact in our community. He's the type of officer that we want in our community. And what happens? He gets assaulted. I had to look his mother in the eye and tell her what happened to her son. I'm never going to do that again, I promise you that."
Police said that protests that evening were peaceful throughout most of the night. However, police said that around midnight the gathering crowd grew violent, resulting in multiple injuries to officers, property damage, and several arrests. Chief Doyle said that protestors had damaged fencing near the police station and due to that property damage, officers began making arrests.
St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell said that his office is looking at charges of resisting arrest, first-degree assault, third-degree, fourth-degree assault, and first-degree property damage for the people who have been taken into custody. On Saturday, August 10th, Bell's office announced that one of the suspects had been charged. Elijah Gantt, of East St. Louis, has been charged with first-degree assault - serious physical injury or a special victim, resisting arrest, first-degree property damage, and two counts of fourth-degree assault.
Gantt was allegedly one of the many people pulling on the fence. When approached by police, Gannt walked away and then ran causing officers to engage in a foot chase. Authorities said that Officer Brown tried to stand in Gantt's path, but Gantt ran into him and knocked him over, causing him to hit his head on the ground. Two other officers then tried to arrest Gantt, but he kicked both of them, causing them to suffer bruises and scratches.
Hours after the announcement of Gantt's charges, Bell's office announced charges against four more people. Emily Davis has been charged with third-degree assault of a special victim and resisting arrest. She has been accused of assaulting an officer. She is being held on a $5,000 bond. Other conditions she must follow are not using drugs, alcohol, post on social media, and she cannot possess weapons.
Keith Rose has been charged with first-degree property damage. His conditions are to not own a weapon, use drugs or alcohol, or post to social media. He must stay 1,500 feet away from FPD and cannot have any contact with the victims. After being arrested, he will be held on a $500 bond. Derrick Robinson has been charged with first-degree property damage. He cannot own a weapon, use drugs or alcohol, or post to social media. He is also being held on a $500 bond.
Phillips March has been charged with first-degree property damage. He also cannot own a weapon, use drugs or alcohol, or post to social media. He is being held on a $500 bond. Prosecutors said that Davis, Rose, Robinson, and March must also all stay away from FPD and the victims after they post bond.
Bell, who stopped by the hospital to meet with Officer Brown's family said, "I always talk about you know the toughest part of this job is when we have a family that's lost a loved one that we can't bring justice to. And I've got to tweak that. The toughest thing I've had to do is talk and console with a mother who doesn't know if her child is going to make it. And for what?"
The Rev. Darryl Gray, a leading civil rights activist is urging Doyle to move with caution and "not create an us versus them mentality," adding, "Right now, all of our efforts and energy need to be positive towards the recovery of the police officer. And then second to do that, to do an investigation, a fair and unbiased investigation to determine what the evidence is."
According to KKTV, one of the officers is currently hospitalized with a severe head injury. Another officer suffered an ankle injury and the third officer suffered abrasions to his body. Out of those already arrested, five people are facing charges. FPD Chief Troy Doyle said that the officer who is currently hospitalized with the severe head injury is Officer Travis Brown. Officer Brown has been with FPD since January 2024 and was previously with the St. Louis County Police Department.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that during the press conference, Doyle said, "He is in an area hospital right now fighting for his life." Doyle said that Brown, who is black, was part of a wave of black officers that were hired into the department since 2014. Back then, there were just three black officers in the department, but now black officers make up more than half of the police force.
The chief said, "He wanted to be part of the change. He wanted to make an impact in our community. He's the type of officer that we want in our community. And what happens? He gets assaulted. I had to look his mother in the eye and tell her what happened to her son. I'm never going to do that again, I promise you that."
Police said that protests that evening were peaceful throughout most of the night. However, police said that around midnight the gathering crowd grew violent, resulting in multiple injuries to officers, property damage, and several arrests. Chief Doyle said that protestors had damaged fencing near the police station and due to that property damage, officers began making arrests.
St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell said that his office is looking at charges of resisting arrest, first-degree assault, third-degree, fourth-degree assault, and first-degree property damage for the people who have been taken into custody. On Saturday, August 10th, Bell's office announced that one of the suspects had been charged. Elijah Gantt, of East St. Louis, has been charged with first-degree assault - serious physical injury or a special victim, resisting arrest, first-degree property damage, and two counts of fourth-degree assault.
Gantt was allegedly one of the many people pulling on the fence. When approached by police, Gannt walked away and then ran causing officers to engage in a foot chase. Authorities said that Officer Brown tried to stand in Gantt's path, but Gantt ran into him and knocked him over, causing him to hit his head on the ground. Two other officers then tried to arrest Gantt, but he kicked both of them, causing them to suffer bruises and scratches.
Hours after the announcement of Gantt's charges, Bell's office announced charges against four more people. Emily Davis has been charged with third-degree assault of a special victim and resisting arrest. She has been accused of assaulting an officer. She is being held on a $5,000 bond. Other conditions she must follow are not using drugs, alcohol, post on social media, and she cannot possess weapons.
Keith Rose has been charged with first-degree property damage. His conditions are to not own a weapon, use drugs or alcohol, or post to social media. He must stay 1,500 feet away from FPD and cannot have any contact with the victims. After being arrested, he will be held on a $500 bond. Derrick Robinson has been charged with first-degree property damage. He cannot own a weapon, use drugs or alcohol, or post to social media. He is also being held on a $500 bond.
Phillips March has been charged with first-degree property damage. He also cannot own a weapon, use drugs or alcohol, or post to social media. He is being held on a $500 bond. Prosecutors said that Davis, Rose, Robinson, and March must also all stay away from FPD and the victims after they post bond.
Bell, who stopped by the hospital to meet with Officer Brown's family said, "I always talk about you know the toughest part of this job is when we have a family that's lost a loved one that we can't bring justice to. And I've got to tweak that. The toughest thing I've had to do is talk and console with a mother who doesn't know if her child is going to make it. And for what?"
The Rev. Darryl Gray, a leading civil rights activist is urging Doyle to move with caution and "not create an us versus them mentality," adding, "Right now, all of our efforts and energy need to be positive towards the recovery of the police officer. And then second to do that, to do an investigation, a fair and unbiased investigation to determine what the evidence is."
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2024-08-14T02:09+0530 | Comment by: Dawn
This is a good example of what's so wrong in many black communities. Instead of lifting up their successes (such as doctors, business executives, athletes, etc), they idolize the criminals in their midst. Especially those who are VIOLENT. Then they wonder why their communities are so rife with crime.