The name of the Ferguson, Mo. police officer who last weekend shot an unarmed black teenager may be released as early as Friday.
Police Chief Thomas Jackson told the Los Angeles Times that while unforeseen circumstances could still delay the release of the officer’s name, he would “probably” be identified Friday.
Protests against law enforcement had raged in Ferguson for several days after Saturday’s fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, leading local police to don riot gear and use tear gas against crowds of demonstrators. After the clashes between police and protesters peaked Wednesday, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon (D) stripped county police of their oversight of the protests and handed command over to state troopers.
The dramatic shift in the tone of Thursday night’s protests may assuage law enforcement’s concerns about releasing the officer’s name. Earlier, police cited threats against the officer in withholding his identity.
