Two Ferguson police officers were shot during protests near the department’s headquarters late last night. Protesters had gathered outside the department in response to the resignation of Thomas Jackson, the embattled Ferguson police chief, yesterday afternoon. Jackson stepped down following the release of a Justice Department report that, while clearing Officer Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown, alleged the department had nevertheless exhibited a systemic racial bias in its policing efforts.
The gun shots rang out from the crowd of protesters that had gathered outside the police station. One officer was shot in the face, while another was hit in the shoulder, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“These police officers were standing there, and they were shot — just because they were police officers,” Jon Belmar, the St. Louis County police chief, told the Times. “I don’t know who did the shooting, to be honest with you right now. But somehow they were embedded in that group of folks.”
Video of the violent altercation was captured from a live stream of the event. While only two bullets appeared to hit the officers, witnesses claimed to hear several more gunshots. (Warning: Video contains foul language.)