The memorial marking the spot where slain teenager Michael Brown was shot by police in Ferguson, Mo. caught fire early Tuesday morning.
Police speculate the fire was caused by candles surrounding the memorial, according to KMOV St. Louis. Some residents of the community, however, suspect it was arson and claim officials did not respond quickly to put out the fire.
A memorial honoring Michael Brown was burned overnight, according to fire officials: http://t.co/TWaUkM4IYr #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/W4zJCe3vkD
— msnbc (@msnbc) September 23, 2014
Michael Brown memorial destroyed by fire –> http://t.co/Sj9xxzOaKB pic.twitter.com/sMAUV6tLF3
— KMOV (@KMOV) September 23, 2014
Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson addressed the incident later Tuesday.
“We’re all saddened by the fire that was reported at one of the Michael Brown memorials this morning and are trying to obtain as much information as possible to determine what happened,” he said in a statement.
The memorial appeared on the street in the first few days after Brown was shot by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.
Residents have begun to rebuild the memorial, stringing together stuffed animals and balloons, according to the Associated Press.
There is no low that this creeps won’t sink to.
Since most of the objects in the shrine were children’s toys, and therefore somewhat fire retardant, it does give one pause for thought.
Oh this was completely intentional. Not a question about it. Sick beyond words.
“We’re all saddened by the fire that was reported at one of the Michael Brown memorials this morning and are trying to obtain as much information as possible to determine what happened,” he said in a statement."
I’m sure more investigative efforts will go into this than Brown’s murder.
Oh BTW Chief, you lie!
Uh,candles wouldn’t have burned every single scrap of material there. It was doused with a flame accelerant and torched. Clearly and obviously.