Chaos continued into Sunday in Ferguson, Mo. as police reportedly opened fire on protestors without warning just after 9 p.m. local time, shooting tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowds, which included children and members of the media. The apparent unprovoked act of police aggression came shortly after a woman suffered minor gunshot injuries near the now-burned-down QuikTrip.
Steady stream of gas and flashes being deployed by police. No warning, no press area established
— Sean Stout (@TERROREYEStv) August 18, 2014
My eyes are on fire oh my god
— Sean Stout (@TERROREYEStv) August 18, 2014
Cops literally just fired on what was the press area. We scrambled running. Cops continuing up neighborhood streets
— Sean Stout (@TERROREYEStv) August 18, 2014
There were kids in the crowd when police started firing on protestors and press.
— Sean Stout (@TERROREYEStv) August 18, 2014
There were kids in the crowd. Curfew isn't until midnight.
— Damien Scott (@thisisdscott) August 18, 2014
This child was hit with gas tonight in #Ferguson BEFORE CURFEW! Look at this child! LOOK AT HIM! pic.twitter.com/nTymvDSXuq
— Shenanigans (@Tamela_X) August 18, 2014
Gas canister fired at us still to hot to touch pic.twitter.com/qlpAWzDKZk
— Sean Stout (@TERROREYEStv) August 18, 2014
An explanation for why police began advancing on protestors is yet to be provided. People who had gathered in the town for the eight night in a row since Michael Brown was shot and killed certainly had a right to be in the streets—the midnight curfew that was extended after being set on Saturday was still three hours away.
In addition to turning on the crowd, the police have also reportedly discriminated against members of the press based on race.
White Press was allowed to re-enter press zone. Us not so much.
— NeLLnOtHiNG (@NeLLnOtHiNg) August 18, 2014
They're profiling press. Only letting white members of the press through. They fired on civilians, press, children. #ferguson
— Brandon Jinx Jenkins (@Jersey_Jinx) August 18, 2014
Update: Things only seem to be escalating as civilians have reportedly fired at the police. (See Update 3) Police haven't returned fire, however they have threatened members of the press and advanced into the crowd using an armored vehicle.
Heavy gunfire can be heard coming from within neighborhood streets
— Sean Stout (@TERROREYEStv) August 18, 2014
Gunshots are being fired towards police. Press scrambling for shelter. #ferguson pic.twitter.com/mnYFfzUu2p
— Brandon Jinx Jenkins (@Jersey_Jinx) August 18, 2014
At least police are not returning fire.
— NeLLnOtHiNG (@NeLLnOtHiNg) August 18, 2014
Police drove armored van into crowd.
— NeLLnOtHiNG (@NeLLnOtHiNg) August 18, 2014
They are unorganized. The cops pointed assault rifles at press. #ferguson
— Brandon Jinx Jenkins (@Jersey_Jinx) August 18, 2014
Captain tells other police officers to calm down after they told a member of press they will shoot them.
— NeLLnOtHiNG (@NeLLnOtHiNg) August 18, 2014
Update 2: Throughout all this madness it's good to hear about a cop treating the press like human beings. Two of our staff members on the ground have nothing but kind things to say about a SWAT Captain named Todd:
There's member of the SWAT named Captain Todd. He is here speaking w/ press. Being a decent human being #ferguson pic.twitter.com/4nVHnLac6L
— Brandon Jinx Jenkins (@Jersey_Jinx) August 18, 2014
Captain Todd of the SWAT team has been extremely accommodating to the media. Providing updates and even bringing water for us.
— NeLLnOtHiNG (@NeLLnOtHiNg) August 18, 2014
Update 3: It appears civilians didn't fire at police after all.
Police now saying earlier reports of shots fired turn out to be fireworks. #staywoke
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 18, 2014
"I was on the front lines. Wasn't no shots fired. Didn't nobody throw any cocktails...."
— Ta-Nehisi Coates (@tanehisicoates) August 18, 2014
"And they got threatened because there was over 1000 black people marching and they couldn't take it...."
— Ta-Nehisi Coates (@tanehisicoates) August 18, 2014
Update 4: The curfew just began, and before that deadline even struck police began escorting media away from a standoff with protestors on Canfield Drive. The media was pushed back far enough so they couldn't view what happened.
Helicopter still canvassing the area. Two more tactical vehicles headed down Canfield towards site of Michael Brown's neighborhood #ferguson
— Brandon Jinx Jenkins (@Jersey_Jinx) August 18, 2014
A large unmarked, empty bus just pulled up on W. Florissant. One block away from standoff
— Sean Stout (@TERROREYEStv) August 18, 2014
Police at sight of stand off armed with assault rifles telling media they must move back to media area
— Sean Stout (@TERROREYEStv) August 18, 2014
To be clear no press will now have sight on current stand off
— Sean Stout (@TERROREYEStv) August 18, 2014
This is the first time tonight press have been ordered to leave a situation.
— Sean Stout (@TERROREYEStv) August 18, 2014