Two police officers in Ferguson Missouri were standing outside the police department when early this morning, they were ambushed and shot. While neither officer was killed, they both suffered serious injuries. One officer was shot in the cheek with the bullet now lodged between his ears and the other in the shoulder with the bullet exiting his back.
Since the shooting and killing of teenager Michael Brown almost one year ago, the city has been in discord, worsened by recently released documents from the Justice Department that indicate a pattern of racial discrimination in that city.
While no shooter or shooters have been arrested for shooting a 7-year and 14-year veteran of the Ferguson Police Department, special agents have surrounded a home of suspects. As reported, there are several people of interest and shell casings were recovered to the scene that will be used by investigators to find who committed this horrific crime.
Witnesses believe that a handgun was used in the attack based on the sound of shots fired and the shell casings but investigators will still conduct a thorough investigation. Both officers have been treated and released from Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. According to reports, the two officers were standing side-by-side. The shooting comes shortly after the Police Chief resigned.
As stated by Jon Belmar, Police Chief for St. Louis County, there has been ongoing demonstrations since last August and lots of gunfire. However, this is the first time that officers have been hit. Belmar believes the shootings were intention and said it is nothing short of a miracle that no officers have ever been shot and that the two who were are alive.
The night before the shooting, roughly 150 protestors were gathered outside the police station in Ferguson, which is why the two injured policemen were standing guard. Witnesses also reported hearing the shots come from a hill about 125 yards away and seeing flashes from the muzzles.
De Ray McKeeson, one of the demonstrators Wednesday night, said his group is non-violent but wants to be heard. He added that at this time, there is no indication that a protector was involved in the shooting. At this time, the city of Ferguson is again in a very unstable position and the investigation is underway.
Eric Holder, US Attorney General for Missouri said the shooting of the two officers was cowardly and a heinous act that was inexcusable. He condemns any act toward people who serve to protect and that no threats of violence directed toward men and women who work as public safety officers will be tolerated.