A 23-year-old Black man is dead after pulling out a knife a few feet away from two St Louis police officers. The incident happened a few miles away from the protests in Ferguson, said authorities. Shortly after, people moved in to chant “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” the phrase that alludes to Officer Darren Wilson fatally shooting unarmed Michael Brown.
According to Police Chief Sam Dotson, the 23 year old had stolen energy drinks and pastries from a convenient store. When police arrived, he was “acting erratically, walking back and forth, up and down the street.”
The man was ordered to put down the knife and supposedly showed no intention of doing so, therefore, the officers drew their weapons. The man then yelled to the police, “Shoot me now. Kill me now!”
The young man then took three or four steps towards the police and they fired. “One of the witnesses described it as a suicide by cop,” Chief Dotson said.
Protesters were asked to be peaceful as the incident scene was blocked off by yellow tape and law enforcement inundated the area. “The last thing we need is violence in our neighborhood,” Dotson said. “And that’s not going to be on the police to make sure there’s not violence in our neighborhood, that’s going to be on us. No silliness here.”
This shooting comes after 10 days of protests and turbulence in Ferguson for the shooting of Mike Brown. “I think we have a different situation here, handled much better,” he said. “This is not Ferguson.”
Today @SLMPD officers received a call for a subject who appeared agitated & was armed with a knife. Suspect yelled kill me now & approached.
— Chief Sam Dotson (@ChiefSLMPD) August 19, 2014
Officers gave suspect verbal commands. Officers feared for their safety and both officers fired their weapons. Suspect is deceased.
— Chief Sam Dotson (@ChiefSLMPD) August 19, 2014
Officers are on administrative duty per department policy. The investigation continues.
— Chief Sam Dotson (@ChiefSLMPD) August 19, 2014