Berkeley police chief: Investigation, witness interviews confirm man shot by police had a gun
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In a Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2014 file photo, police guard the entrance to a gas station in front of a memorial to Antonio Martin, in Berkeley, Mo. Officials said Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014 that an internal police investigation confirmed that Martin pointed a gun at an officer who shot him to death in a convenience store parking lot in suburban St. Louis on Dec. 23. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Robert Cohen, File) (The Associated Press)
Police in the St. Louis suburb of Berkeley say their investigation confirms an 18-year-old pointed a gun and tried to fire at the officer who shot him to death in a convenience store parking lot last week.
Police Chief Frank McCall said Tuesday that several witnesses told police Antonio Martin pointed a gun at the officer, who has not been identified. The officer was responding to a report of shoplifting at the store.
Renewed protests followed the shooting, which was the third of a black suspect by a white officer in the region since 18-year-old Michael Brown was killed by a police officer in neighboring Ferguson on Aug. 9.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}McCall said a man who was with Martin at the store was among the witnesses who said Martin had a gun.