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Ferguson shooting victim Dorian Johnson, 33, has died after being shot near the site where his friend Michael Brown was killed in 2014. Police confirmed Johnson’s death on Sunday morning at an apartment complex less than a mile from Brown’s memorial. Johnson’s account of Brown’s death shaped the protest chant “hands up, don’t shoot,” which became a rallying cry in demonstrations across the United States.
Police confirm no officer involvement
Authorities quickly rejected rumors of another police shooting. Ferguson Police spokesperson Patricia Washington said Johnson was not shot by officers. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m., and investigators continue to gather evidence. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith revealed that one person was taken into custody but later released. She said the case appears linked to a domestic dispute involving a claim of self-defense. Her office remains in consultation with Ferguson police about possible charges.
Remembering Michael Brown and Ferguson’s legacy
Michael Brown, 18, died in August 2014 when officer Darren Wilson shot him on Canfield Drive. Wilson claimed self-defense, while Johnson asserted Brown had raised his hands in surrender. Although a Justice Department report found conflicting witness accounts, Johnson’s testimony helped ignite protests nationwide. The department later uncovered systemic discrimination by Ferguson police against Black residents, further fueling outrage.
Impact a decade later
Johnson’s death revives painful memories for Ferguson. Police Chief Troy Doyle recently said Brown’s killing still influences the department’s reforms. Nearly half of Ferguson’s officers are now African American, compared to fewer than five in 2014. Officers also receive training on implicit bias and use of force. Brown’s family settled a wrongful-death lawsuit with the city in 2017, but the social and political echoes continue.
The death of Ferguson shooting victim Dorian Johnson underscores the enduring scars left by Michael Brown’s killing. His role in shaping the “hands up, don’t shoot” movement ensures his name remains linked to one of America’s most pivotal civil rights moments.
