What's this? This is an unbiased just-the-facts news timeline ('newsline') about Michael Brown, created by Newslines contributors. Become a contributor
121 postsOn August 9, 2014 Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson, MO police officer, after a convenience store robbery. The shooting sparked protests in Ferguson and throughout the nation.
Demonstrators erect a Day of the Dead altar in Ferguson to memorialize Brown and the deaths of any other loved ones offered up by participants. The altars feature flowers, candles and photos. Activist:
We are not going to stop addressing the matter until we get some resolve. We’ll be here.
Protesters take to the streets in eastern Missouri for four days of demonstrations, discussions and civil disobedience. The protesters gather near the office of St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch. A few people address the crowd with megaphones. Protesters:
Today is not the start of an event, today is the beginning of your movement. We’ve got to fight back! From this day forward, we say no more. We say enough.
Protesters want Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson to be charged in the killing of the unarmed teen, Brown. Just before midnight officers move toward the protesters using plastic restraints on their wrists and put them into a van. The 13 protesters remained in jail for more than 15 hours and face chargers for failing to comply with police, violating a noise ordinance and resisting arrest.
Wilson has been in hiding since the fatal shooting of teenager Brown. He has testified before the grand jury hearing Brown’s case. Spokesman for the St. Louis County prosecutor, Ed Magee:
The grand jury that is hearing the Brown-Wilson case, that’s the only thing they are hearing.
Harvey speaks with McSpadden, the mother of deceased teenager Brown, regarding his shooting death. Grieving processes, police brutality and racial protocols are also discussed.
Michael was my first born, he was the leader of the pack for my two daughters and my other son. He was meek, he was humble, he was tall and he was mine.
Police Chief Thomas Jackson in Ferguson issues an apology to Brown’s parents and peaceful protesters.
I’m truly sorry for the loss of your son. I’m also sorry that it took so long to remove Michael from the street. You have every right to be angry and upset. The time that it took involved the completion of the work of the investigators to preserve physical evidence and determine the facts, but 4½ hours was simply too long.
Neighborhood residents rebuild Brown’s memorial after it was burned down. Resident:
It was like a grave being desecrated.
Protesters loot a store in Ferguson after a fire destroys a memorial dedicated to Brown. The protesters loot a Beauty Town store and move on towards a McDonalds at least three people are arrested. Ferguson police:
Around 11 p.m. local time, a car ran over a water bottle, making a popping sound the sound seemed to spook people, but it was determined that the popping was not a gunshot.
A memorial honoring Brown is burned down, The Ferguson Fire Department receive a call around 6:45 a.m. and arrive to find the memorial in flames. Fire officials are not sure what caused the fire and witnesses believe that the fire was set intentionally. Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson:
Police did everything they could to put out the fire before the fire department arrived on the scene. We’re all saddened by the fire that was reported at one of the Brown memorials this morning and are trying to obtain as much information as possible to determine what happened. To anyone who believes we didn’t do everything in our power to put this fire out I want to apologize and let you know that was not the case.
A grand jury in Missouri has more time decide whether Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson should be charged for the shooting death of Brown. The grand jury will contemplate testimony and decide whether they believe Wilson committed a crime when he shot Brown. St. Louis County director of judicial administration:
St. Louis County Judge Carolyn Whittington has extended the grand jury’s deadline until January 7.
Protesters march in the name of Brown to attempt to shut down rush hour traffic on interstate 70 but are stopped by St. Louis county and city police officers. Spectator:
There are way more police than there are protestors. I’ve counted at least nine arrests.
Now nose to nose w police on Hanley. Arrest warnings continue. #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/CtV5EiTuUs
— Casey Nolen (@CaseyNolen) September 10, 2014
The city of Ferguson will hold their first council meeting since Brown’s death. A group of residents who are not currently part of local government will review the actions of Ferguson’s police department. Council member Mark Byrne:
The overall goal of these changes is to improve trust within the community and increase transparency, particularly within Ferguson’s courts and police department.
Johnson, friend of deceased teenager Brown speaks about the funeral, police brutality, the false police report and his friendship with Brown:
He was a good friend, never spoke down about anybody, didn’t really tease anybody about being smaller than him because he was bigger than a lot of people we were around. He was a real good friend he didn’t like to see other people down.
A grand jury panel is selected consisting of three African-Americans and nine Whites. They are randomly selected from an approved pool and has been seated since May. St. Louis County Circuit Court administrator Paul Fox:
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch is too cozy with law enforcement, does not have a good relationship with the African-American community and thus should be replaced.
McCulloch:
I won’t recuse myself, I am simply doing the job I am elected to do.
St. Louis’ Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church is packed with attendees as relatives and close friends give their final goodbyes to Brown. Many mourners crowd outside to remember the life of the slain teenager. Brown’s cousins urge citizens to push for change at their local polls to end killings.
Many of Brown’s family members and close friends participate in a private viewing of Brown’s body. Brown’s father, Michael Brown Sr. requests that there will be no protests during his son’s funeral. Brown is wearing a blue-and-white-checked shirt, a navy blue sweater vest and a neatly tied red-and-blue-striped bow tie. The Brown family receives hugs and greeting from many people. Brown’s casket closes at 1:15p.m and a baseball cap is placed over the casket. Brown’s mother:
They say tomorrow is going to be the hardest day, but I think today was — just seeing my baby laying there, cold. It did something to my heart. It’s too much. It’s too much.
Darren Wilson supporters hold their own rally in St. Louis and set up online fundraisers that surpass any fundraisers for Brown. The crowdfunding page made for Wilson raises $235,010. The Support Darren Wilson group encourages to visit and spread the support news on Twitter.
We will not hide. We will no longer live in fear … If you support Darren Wilson, make your voices heard.
McSpadden and Brown Jr. voice their trust issues with the government and Attorney General, Holder. McSpadden:
Just hearing the words come directly from his mouth face to face, he made me feel like one day I will and I am not saying today or yesterday but one day they’ll regain my trust.
McSpadden and Brown Sr. speak about the loss of their teenage son, Brown. They are requesting the grand jury to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. McSpadden:
He took my son away for nothing.
Brown’s parents, McSpadden and Brown Sr. speak with Cooper about the tragic shooting death of their son. They confirm their confidence with the Ferguson justice system, voice their opinions on a grand jury decision and involving the Federal government. McSpadden:
Even if this hadn’t happened people ridicule each other anyway, but he was a teenager, he was growing up, he was only 18. He had a chance to make a mistake and correct it just like the officer, he had a choice and the officer chose the wrong one. Was it really necessary…No. My son was only 18, only 18.
