Shots ring out as Ferguson protesters mark anniversary of shooting

Yamiche Alcindor | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Moment of silence honors memory of Mike Brown Hundreds of people gathered in Ferguson, Missouri to mark the one year anniversary of Michael Brown's death. A moment of silence was observed in his honor.

FERGUSON, Mo. — Multiple gunshots rang out as hundreds gathered Sunday at the spot where Michael Brown was killed by a white police officer to mark the first anniversary of the shooting that rocked the nation and shined a spotlight on race relations in America.

Dozens of police moved into the area where the gunshots were heard. Officers in riot gear and armored vehicles quickly filled the streets.

At least one victim was taken Barnes Jewish Hospital, KSDK-TV in St. Louis reports.

Moments after the shots were fired, a young woman screamed, "The killed my brother. They shot my brother."

Earlier, Brown's father, Michael Brown Sr., shared a few words during a silent march to thank those who stood by him since his 18-year-old son was killed.

"You made this happen for us," Brown said, explaining that his son's name and case gained notoriety because thousands of people supported the family by protesting.

"I miss you boy," the father said.

Erica Snipes is the daughter of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man who died in New York after an officer put him in a chokehold, She told the crowd that elected officials must be held accountable.

"This year has just been so hard — no accountability, no justice — police are still killing us," Snipes said.

Rows of teddy bears, flowers and balloons sat in the middle of the road as a growing open air memorial to the younger Brown. A more permanent memorial — an image of a dove carved into a cement sidewalk — was nearby. At 12:02 p.m., a 4 1/2-minute moment of silence represented the time Wilson shot Brown and the length of time his lifeless body lay in the street.

Brown's father then led a march from the spot where his son died to nearby Greater St. Mark Family Church. Along the way, at the corner of Chambers Road and West Florissant Avenue, Brown and hundreds of marchers stopped for another 4 1/2 minutes of silence to remember Brown's son.

"This is sponsored by Darren Wilson," said Anthony Shahid, a community activist, referring to the Ferguson police officer who had shot the teen.

The elder Brown and some supporters wore "Chosen 4 Change" shirts, a reference to the nonprofit foundation he helped start. Signs in the crowd included "Racism is destroying Amerikkka" and "Stop killing black children" and "Respect and protect the black woman."

Praying for peace a year after Michael Brown's death On the anniversary of Michael Brown's death, dozens of believers from various faiths gathered at the Ferguson apartment complex where he died to pray for an end to violence.

Across Ferguson, police increased their presence and handed out water to marchers. Police vehicles were parked outside businesses looted during the unrest that followed Brown's death.

Brown, 18, was unarmed when Wilson pulled up in a cruiser and told Brown and a friend not to walk in the street. An argument ensued, spilling into a physical confrontation. Wilson said Brown attempted to take Wilson's gun. Moments later Brown was fatally shot. Months of sometimes violent protests followed.

A grand jury and the Justice Department cleared Wilson of wrongdoing. But the Justice Department also issued a scathing, 102-page report, made public in March, that details how racial biases permeated the city's police and justice system. The revelations prompted the resignations of the city's police chief and a local judge.

Shirley McClendon, 72, said she came to Sunday's march to support the teen's family and to call attention to ongoing issues of racial profiling and police brutality.

"What they did to this kid was unfair," she said of Brown's death. "The police are getting out of hand. They are just running rampant. It's like they are the criminals."

Lamar Haynes, 42, said he thought it was important that his son Noah Williams, 16, a high school senior, be part of what Haynes sees as a historical moment. Both are black.

"I'm proud of Ferguson because we had the audacity to challenge the system," said Haynes, of Ferguson. "This is the epicenter that brought consciousness to society."

Haynes, who owns a public relations and marketing company, said too many young blacks have been unjustly targeted and killed. He added that he often worries about how police will perceive his son.

Williams, who lives in Troy, N.Y., said he has been stopped and searched by the police there several times but never arrested. He thinks he is being targeted because he is black and lives in a neighborhood that at times can be dangerous.

"It is crazy that it has been a year and how little progress we've made," Williams said. "Police brutality is still going on not just in this neighborhood but all around the world. It's time people opened their eyes."

Later Sunday, black activist Cornel West addressed dozens of people gathered at Greater St. Mark Family Church. West said he planned to go to jail on Monday, the day of several planned acts of civil disobedience across St. Louis. Last October, West was jailed while protesting in front of the Ferguson Police station.

He added that having high ranking black politicians doesn't mean that issues negatively affecting people's lives improve.

"Our criminal justice system is an abysmal failure," West said. "Black faces in high places don't always translate it into justice for poor people."