President Obama has released an official statement about the recent shooting of unarmed black teen Mike Brown, expressing condolences and urging calm in Brown’s suburban St. Louis community. Obama had been heavily criticized after remaining mum about Brown’s death but issuing a tribute to beloved actor/comedian Robin Williams, who committed suicide on Monday.
“Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in-between,” Obama’s tribute read.
But many were asking why the president had been silent on the apparent injustice of Brown’s death until now. Brown, 18, was gunned down by a police officer in suburban St. Louis on Saturday, days before he was to begin college. While details surrounding his death remain unclear, police confirmed that Brown was unarmed when he was shot and killed during an altercation on a street in Ferguson, Missouri. Witnesses have said the unidentified officer, now on leave, was white, making the case similar to the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teen who was shot and killed by volunteer community watchman George Zimmerman in Florida in 2012. Obama also waited a number of days before weighing in on the killing of Martin in February 2012, before saying, in part, “If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon.” A vigil for Brown on Sunday was followed by protests and the looting of several shops.
On Tuesday, the White House issued the following statement on the shooting death of Mike Brown:
“The death of Michael Brown is heartbreaking, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family and his community at this very difficult time. As Attorney General Holder has indicated, the Department of Justice is investigating the situation along with local officials, and they will continue to direct resources to the case as needed. I know the events of the past few days have prompted strong passions, but as details unfold, I urge everyone in Ferguson, Missouri, and across the country, to remember this young man through reflection and understanding. We should comfort each other and talk with one another in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds. Along with our prayers, that’s what Michael and his family, and our broader American community, deserve.”
SLIDESHOW: Heartbreaking Photo On The Killing of Michael Brown, And Unharmed Teenager By Police In St. Louis
A protester kicks a smoke grenade that had been deployed by police back in their direction on Wednesday, August 14, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. (Photo Credit: Jeff Roberson/AP)
Protesters in front of the police and fire departments in Ferguson, Mo., shouted “we want answers” and “no justice, no peace,” and some carried signs saying “stop police terrorism” and “disarm the police” during a rally Aug. 10. (Photo: Sid Hastings, AP)
Lesley McSpadden, center, drops rose petals on the blood stains from her son Michael Brown, who was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Mo. McSpadden, told an acquaintance the shooting was "wrong and it was cold-hearted," the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. (Photo: Huy Mach, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, via AP)
Ferguson, Mo., police officers try to calm down a crowd near the scene where 18-year-old Michael Brown was fatally shot by police. (Photo: Huy Mach, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, via AP)
Police try to quell protesters during a rally Aug. 10 against the shooting of Michael Brown, 18, by police in Ferguson, Mo. (Photo: Sid Hastings, AP)
Protesters confront police during a rally Aug. 10 against the shooting of Michael Brown, 18, by police in Ferguson, Mo. The protesters rallied in front of the police and fire departments in Ferguson following St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar's news conference. (Photo: Sid Hastings, AP)
St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar discusses Michael Brown's fatal shooting during a news conference Aug. 10 in Ferguson, Mo. Brown died following a confrontation with police, Belmar said. (Photo: Sid Hastings, AP)
Some protesters near the Ferguson Police Department chanted “Don’t shoot me!” and held their hands in the air after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by police in Ferguson, Mo. (Photo: David Carson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, via AP)
Police officers stand near a crowd that is gathering by the scene where 18-year-old Michael Brown was fatally shot by police in Ferguson, Mo., near St. Louis, on Aug. 9. (Photo: David Carson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, via AP)
A man leaves a store on Sunday in Ferguson, Mo. (Photo: AP/David Carson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
People are seen in a store Sunday in Ferguson, Mo. after a vigil for an unarmed 18-year-old shot and killed by a police officer. (Photo: AP/David Carson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Lesley McSpadden, left, is comforted by her husband, Louis Head, after her 18-year-old son, Michael Brown was shot by police and killed in the middle of the street in Ferguson, Mo., A spokesman with the St. Louis County Police Department, which is investigating the shooting at the request of the local department, confirmed a Ferguson police officer shot the man. The spokesman didn’t give the reason for the shooting. (Photo Credit: Huy Mach, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, via AP)
Mourners embrace at a spontaneous memorial for shooting victim Michael Brown, who was killed in a confrontation with St. Louis police. (Photo: Sid Hastings, AP)
Piaget Crenshaw adds a message to items left at a spontaneous memorial for shooting victim Michael Brown. (Photo: Sid Hastings, AP)
Tammy Miles, left, and Janice Battle hold hands as they take a closer look at the scene where Michael Brown, 18, was shot in Ferguson, Mo. (Photo: Sid Hastings, AP)
Protesters rally to protest the shooting of Michael Brown, 18, by police in Ferguson, Mo. Brown died following a confrontation with police, according to St. Louis County. (Photo: Sid Hastings, AP)
Activists Zaki Baruti, left, and Anthony Shahid, second from right, try to quiet an angry crowd in Ferguson, Mo. so Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson can address the crowd. After several attempts, the chief left the stage. (Photo: J.B. Forbes, AP)
Louis Head, stepfather to 18-year-old Michael Brown who was fatally shot by police, holds a sign in Ferguson, Mo., near St. Louis on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014 (Credit: AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Huy Mach)
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