Dorian Johnson, a central figure in the events that ignited the “hands up, don’t shoot” chant and helped galvanize the Black Lives Matter movement, has died after being shot in Ferguson, Missouri.
Johnson, 33, was the friend with Michael Brown on August 9, 2014, when Brown was fatally shot by police officer Darren Wilson.
His eyewitness account of the shooting was essential in the narrative that fueled protests in Ferguson and across the nation.
Dorian Johnson was with Michael Brown when he was murdered
On that fateful day, Johnson was walking with Michael Brown when they were confronted by Officer Wilson. Johnson’s version of the events, which he shared widely in the aftermath, claimed that Brown had his hands raised in surrender when Wilson shot and killed him.
This detail became the rallying cry for a movement demanding justice and accountability for police brutality.
The phrase “hands up, don’t shoot” became a powerful symbol of unarmed individuals surrendering to law enforcement. It was a potent image in a nation grappling with its history of racial violence.
Johnson’s role as a witness thrust him into a national spotlight. The attention made him a lightning rod for both support and scrutiny. He was a central figure in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Brown’s family against the city of Ferguson and the officer involved. The lawsuit was ultimately settled.
The shooting of Dorian Johnson in Ferguson on Sunday morning brings a tragic and somber echo to the community.
He was found with gunshot wounds in the 9000 block of Abaco Drive. The location is just a short distance from where Michael Brown was killed.
Police took one person into custody in connection with the shooting. Initial reports from authorities dismissed rumors of police involvement.
“There had been earlier rumors that this was an officer-involved shooting however that information is incorrect. No officers, Ferguson or otherwise, were involved in this incident other than to begin our investigation,” the police department said in a statement.
The headline should not read Johnson was murdered. The police have failed to charge to charge Johnson’s shooter as it was deemed self defense.
He sh
He should’ve put his hands up when his baby momma had enough of the beatings and pulled out the Glock