MOSCOW, September 28 (RIA Novosti) – A police officer has been shot on Saturday evening in Ferguson, the city which was plunged into chaos after the killing of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown on August 9.
"Tim Zoll of the Ferguson Police Department told KSDK News an officer was on patrol near a community center when he saw someone run from the back of the building. The officer chased after the suspect, who then turned and shot the pursuing officer. The suspect fled the scene," the Huffington Post reports.
The police officer was struck in the arm and his injuries are not life-threatening according to the Ferguson police spokesman. Police officials emphasized that the incident took place "near the Ferguson community center," an area unaffected with the protests connected with the Michael Brown shooting.
"It didn't happen within the proximity of the protest area. This (the shooting scene) is an area that's fairly secluded," said Jon Belmar, St. Louis County Police Chief, as cited by the CNN.
"I wouldn't have any reason to believe right now that it was linked in any way, shape, manner or form with the protests," he added.
Police immediately responded to the shooting incident. As they arrived on the scene, dozens of protesters gathered, having been misinformed that the police officer had killed someone.
"By midnight, approximately two dozen officers stood near a group of about 100 protesters who mingled on a street corner across from the police department, occasionally shouting, "No justice; no peace," Fox News reported.
Crowd gathering in #Ferguson. Group skeptical of police account of what happened at tonight's shooting. pic.twitter.com/5M45vAb9m1
— Nicholas J.C. Pistor (@nickpistor) 28 сентября 2014
Here's the situation. #Ferguson PD. pic.twitter.com/sOuQ7h73Wu
— deray mckesson (@deray) 28 сентября 2014
Tensions in the region were strained after Police Chief Thomas Jackson had addressed the crowd on September 26, apologizing for his department's actions for the tragedy on August 9.
"I'm sorry, and I said that from my heart. I had to get that off my chest. It's been sitting there for two months," Thomas Jackson said, as quoted by the CNN. Unfortunately, during his speech a tussle occurred that led to further arrests.
