Killing of Michael Brown

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Killing of Michael Brown
Part of 2014 Ferguson unrest
Location	Ferguson, Missouri, U.S.
Date	August 9, 2014 12:01 p.m. – 12:03 p.m. (CDT)
Attack type	Homicide

The killing of Michael Brown occurred on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. Michael Brown, an 18-year-old African American, was fatally shot by Darren Wilson, a 28-year-old white police officer. The incident sparked significant civil unrest and led to widespread protests and debates about police brutality, racial profiling, and the relationship between law enforcement and African Americans in the United States.

Incident

On the afternoon of August 9, 2014, Michael Brown and his friend Dorian Johnson were walking down the middle of Canfield Drive in Ferguson. Officer Darren Wilson encountered the two men and instructed them to move to the sidewalk. A confrontation ensued, leading to Wilson shooting Brown multiple times. Brown was unarmed at the time of the shooting.

Aftermath

The killing of Michael Brown led to immediate protests in Ferguson, which were met with a heavy police response. The protests continued for weeks and drew national and international attention. The incident also led to a Department of Justice investigation into the Ferguson Police Department, which found widespread racial bias and systemic issues within the department.

Legal Proceedings

A St. Louis County grand jury was convened to determine whether to indict Darren Wilson. On November 24, 2014, the grand jury decided not to indict Wilson, leading to further protests and unrest. The Department of Justice also conducted a separate investigation and concluded that there was no evidence to disprove Wilson's claim that he feared for his life during the encounter.

Impact

The killing of Michael Brown and the subsequent protests were pivotal in the formation of the Black Lives Matter movement, which seeks to address issues of systemic racism and police violence against African Americans. The incident also led to increased scrutiny of police practices and calls for reforms in law enforcement agencies across the United States.

See also

• 2014 Ferguson unrest
• Black Lives Matter
• Police brutality in the United States
• Racial profiling