Aug. 18, 2014: People stand near a cloud of tear gas in Ferguson, Mo. during protests for the Aug. 9 shooting of unarmed black 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer (AP)
As a grand jury weighs the option of indicting a St. Louis officer on charges of shooting and killing 18-year-old Michael Brown, new video shows the encounter between the two individuals was very brief.
Video and records obtained by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch show police officer Darren Wilson leaving for the hospital two hours after the shooting with his union lawyer and other officers.
Wilson returned to the station about two and one-half hours later.
Wilson was searching for a thief that matched Brown’s description, the paper reported. Brown allegedly attacked Wilson prompting the officer to fire upon Brown.
After calling for backup, Wilson reportedly continued his search on foot, but claimed Brown charged at him prompting more gun fire.
Witness accounts vary.
Dorian Johnson, Brown’s friend who was with him at the time, claims Wilson grabbed Brown by the throat and attempted to put him in the SUV Wilson was driving. He also has said the fatal shot came when Brown’s hands were up.
A grand jury could come up with a decision at any time.
Protesters in Missouri are reportedly planning to shut down Clayton, Mo. after the verdict.
The protesters want to financially hurt Clayton, a city of roughly 15,000 residents that borders St. Louis, where organizers met late Thursday to hopefully attract hundreds if not thousands of people to show up on the first workday after the grand jury reaches a decision, KTVI reports.
The protesters will meet in public spaces and may spread out in small groups, possibly to take part in civil disobedience like shutting down roads.
“We want people to know these meeting are about non-violence direct action,” said Michael McPherson, co-chair of the Don’t Shoot Coalition. “Some of it will be people talking to people, expressing themselves. There’s nothing we’re doing to try to create violence. We don’t want to diminish tension without there being change.”
Attorney General Eric Holder said Justice Department officials have been working with local officials to make sure the law enforcement response to any protests is appropriate.
"Certainly we want to ensure that people who have First Amendment rights have the ability to protest as they deem appropriate while at the same time making sure that we protect people in law enforcement and that we minimize the chances that any legitimate protest devolves into violence," he said.
For more visit The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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