Two police officers have been shot during a protest outside Ferguson Police Station, according to the St. Louis County Police chief, who said the men are conscious, but their injuries are “very serious.”
A 32-year-old officer from Webster Groves was shot in the face and a 41-year-old from St. Louis County was shot in the shoulder, Chief Jon Belmar told journalists at a press conference. He added that both the injured were being treated at a local hospital.
“These police officers were standing there and they were shot, just because they were police officers,” Belmar said.
The shooting broke out as the rally outside the police station was subsiding early on Thursday.
Two police officers have been shot during a protest outside Ferguson Police Station, according to the St. Louis County Police chief, who said the men are conscious, but their injuries are “very serious.”
A 32-year-old officer from Webster Groves was shot in the face and a 41-year-old from St. Louis County was shot in the shoulder, Chief Jon Belmar told journalists at a press conference. He added that both the injured were being treated at a local hospital.
“These police officers were standing there and they were shot, just because they were police officers,” Belmar said.
The shooting broke out as the rally outside the police station was subsiding early on Thursday.
A Reuters photographer at the scene said a few dozen demonstrators fled following the sound of gunfire with some screaming, “They hit a cop.”
The St Louis County Police chief said at least three shots were fired during the rally. No suspects have yet been identified, he added.
A video has emerged featuring the moment the shots were fired. While it’s low-resolution and not much can be seen, the sounds of gunfire are distinctly heard, as well as the groaning of a man who was hit.
