Black Voicesferguson police shootingferguson police chiefFerguson Police Department

Community Activists React To 'Disgraceful And Cowardly' Ferguson Police Shooting

Ferguson Police Shooting 'Disgraceful And Cowardly,' Say Activists
Open Image Modal
By 

Pop Culture Editor, HuffPost

|
Open Image Modal
FERGUSON, MO - MARCH 11: Protestors demonstrate by sitting on a police car during a protest outside the Ferguson Police Department on March11, 2015 in Ferguson, MO. Protests erupted after the announcement of the resignation of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson earlier in the day. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

Tensions were high in Ferguson, Missouri, early Thursday morning following the shooting of two local police officers outside the Ferguson Police Department. The shooting took place amid protests that followed the announcement of police Chief Thomas Jackson’s resignation.

The act of violence has caused local and national civil rights leaders to condemn the shooting, including St. Louis community activist John Gaskin III, who reportedly deemed the attack "disgraceful and cowardly."

According to the Associated Press, Gaskin said that activists "cannot afford these kinds of incidents happening, because that gets us absolutely nowhere." A spokesman for Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been a prominent activist voice in Ferguson, told AP that Sharpton opposes violence of any kind, especially against police.

Both officers have reportedly been released from the hospital.

Check out more reactions on the Ferguson police shooting below.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Two Ferguson Officers Shot During Protest
(01 of22)
Open Image Modal
Police officials conduct an investigation in the Ferguson, Missouri neighborhood near the area of the overnight shooting of two police officers at the Ferguson Police Department on March 12, 2015. Two police officers shot overnight in the troubled Missouri city of Ferguson -- which for months has battled racial tensions -- were victims of an 'ambush,' police said Thursday. AFP PHOTO/MICHAEL B.THOMAS (Photo credit should read Michael B. Thomas/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MICHAEL B. THOMAS via Getty Images)
(02 of22)
Open Image Modal
Police personnel conduct an investigation in the Ferguson, Missouri neighborhood near the area of the overnight shooting of two police officers at the Ferguson Police Department on March 12, 2015. Two police officers shot overnight in the troubled Missouri city of Ferguson -- which for months has battled racial tensions -- were victims of an 'ambush,' police said Thursday. AFP PHOTO/MICHAEL B.THOMAS (Photo credit should read Michael B. Thomas/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MICHAEL B. THOMAS via Getty Images)
(03 of22)
Open Image Modal
Police officials conduct an investigation in the Ferguson, Missouri neighborhood near the area of the overnight shooting of two police officers at the Ferguson Police Department on March 12, 2015. Two police officers shot overnight in the troubled Missouri city of Ferguson -- which for months has battled racial tensions -- were victims of an 'ambush,' police said Thursday. AFP PHOTO/MICHAEL B.THOMAS (Photo credit should read Michael B. Thomas/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MICHAEL B. THOMAS via Getty Images)
(04 of22)
Open Image Modal
FERGUSON, MO - MARCH 12: Law enforcement officials search for evidence in a neighborhood where gunshots were believed to have been fired that wounded two police officers during a protest last night outside the police station on March 12, 2015 in Ferguson, Missouri. Demonstrators had gathered outside the station to celebrate and protest after learning the city's police chief would be stepping down following the release of a Justice Department report that disparaged the department. Ferguson has faced many violent protests since the August shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
(05 of22)
Open Image Modal
Police officials conduct an investigation in the Ferguson, Missouri neighborhood near the area of the overnight shooting of two police officers at the Ferguson Police Department on March 12, 2015. Two police officers shot overnight in the troubled Missouri city of Ferguson -- which for months has battled racial tensions -- were victims of an 'ambush,' police said Thursday. AFP PHOTO/MICHAEL B.THOMAS (Photo credit should read Michael B. Thomas/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:MICHAEL B. THOMAS via Getty Images)
(06 of22)
Open Image Modal
FERGUSON, MO - MARCH 12: Law enforcement officials search for evidence in a neighborhood where gunshots were believed to have been fired that wounded two police officers during a protest last night outside the police station on March 12, 2015 in Ferguson, Missouri. Demonstrators had gathered outside the station to celebrate and protest after learning the city's police chief would be stepping down following the release of a Justice Department report that disparaged the department. Ferguson has faced many violent protests since the August shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
(07 of22)
Open Image Modal
FERGUSON, MO - MARCH 12: An agent with the Department of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms arrives to investigate the scene outside the Ferguson Police Department on March12, 2015 in Ferguson, MO. Two police officers were shot and wounded in front of the Ferguson Police department overnight as protestors gathered after the resignation of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson. Both officers were taken to hospital with serious injuries but were reported to be concious. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
(08 of22)
Open Image Modal
FERGUSON, MO - MARCH 12: Police crime scene personnel investigate the scene outside the Ferguson Police Department on March 12, 2015 in Ferguson, MO. Two police officers were shot and wounded in front of the Ferguson Police department overnight as protestors gathered after the resignation of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson. Both officers were taken to hospital with serious injuries but were reported to be concious. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
(09 of22)
Open Image Modal
St. Louis County police Chief Jon Belmar, left, answers questions as Webster Groves police Captain Mike Nelson listens during a news conference Thursday, March 12, 2015, in Ferguson, Mo. Belmar spoke about the two officers shot, one from the St. Louis County police department and one from Webster Groves, in front of the Ferguson Police Department early Thursday as demonstrators gathered. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(10 of22)
Open Image Modal
FERGUSON, MO - MARCH 12: Law enforcement officials secure the crime scene and continue to search for evidence outside the police station after two officers were shot and wounded during last night's protest on March 12, 2015 in Ferguson, Missouri. Demonstrators had gathered outside the station to celebrate and protest after learning the city's police chief would be stepping down following the release of a Justice Department report that disparaged the department. Ferguson has faced many violent protests since the August shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (credit:Scott Olson via Getty Images)
(11 of22)
Open Image Modal
Paramedics load one of two police officers who were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station during a protest on Thursday, March 12, 2015. (credit:Laurie Skrivan / St. Louis Post Dispatch / AP)
(12 of22)
Open Image Modal
Police take cover after two officers were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station on Thursday, March 12, 2015 in Ferguson, Mo. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS via Getty Images) (credit:St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Getty Images)
(13 of22)
Open Image Modal
Police mobilize in the parking lot of the Ferguson Police Station after two police officers were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station on Thursday, March 12, 2015 in Ferguson, Mo. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS via Getty Images) (credit:St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Getty Images)
(14 of22)
Open Image Modal
Photos released by St. Louis County Police show a helmet worn by one of the Ferguson officers shot during protests Thursday morning, March 12, 2015. (credit:St. Louis County Police)
(15 of22)
Open Image Modal
Photos released by St. Louis County Police show a helmet worn by one of the Ferguson officers shot during protests Thursday morning, March 12, 2015. (credit:St. Louis County Police)
(16 of22)
Open Image Modal
Police shine a light on a helmet as they investigate the scene where two police officers were shot outside the Ferguson Police Department Thursday, March 12, 2015, in Ferguson, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(17 of22)
Open Image Modal
FERGUSON, MO - MARCH 11: Protestors hold up their hands in front of police car during a protest outside the Ferguson Police Department on March11, 2015 in Ferguson, MO. Protests erupted after the announcement of the resignation of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson earlier in the day. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
(18 of22)
Open Image Modal
FERGUSON, MO - MARCH 11: A demonstrator is detained and arrested during a protest outside the Ferguson Police Department on March11, 2015 in Ferguson, MO. Protests erupted after the announcement of the resignation of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson earlier in the day. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
(19 of22)
Open Image Modal
FERGUSON, MO - MARCH 11: Protestors sit in the street outside the Ferguson Police Department on March11, 2015 in Ferguson, MO. Protests erupted after the announcement of the resignation of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson earlier in the day. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
(20 of22)
Open Image Modal
FERGUSON, MO - MARCH 11: Police in riot gear respond to demonstrators blocking traffic during a protest outside the Ferguson Police Department on March11, 2015 in Ferguson, MO. Protests erupted after the announcement of the resignation of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson earlier in the day. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
(21 of22)
Open Image Modal
FERGUSON, MO - MARCH 11: Protestors demonstrate outside the Ferguson Police Department on March11, 2015 in Ferguson, MO. Protests erupted after the announcement of the resignation of Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson earlier in the day. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Michael B. Thomas via Getty Images)
(22 of22)
Open Image Modal
Police arrest a demonstrator outside the Ferguson Police Department, Wednesday, March 11, 2015, in Ferguson, Mo. Earlier in the day, the resignation of Ferguson police chief Thomas Jackson was announced in the wake of a scathing Justice Department report prompted by the fatal shooting of an unarmed black 18-year-old by a white police officer. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip