FERGUSON, Mo. — Dorian Johnson, known as the friend and eyewitness in the 2014 shooting death of Michael Brown, was fatally shot early Sunday morning in Ferguson, less than a mile from the site where Brown was killed. Johnson was transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Shooting Details and Investigation
According to Ferguson Police Department, the shooting occurred around 8:30 a.m. on the 9600 block of Abaco Court. Authorities took one individual into custody but released that person within the maximum 24-hour holding period. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith indicated the incident appears to be a domestic matter involving a self-defense claim, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Police also clarified that rumors suggesting law enforcement involvement were unfounded.
Background: Johnson and Brown
Dorian Johnson was intimately linked to one of the most significant moments in recent American history. On August 9, 2014, Johnson was with Michael Brown when Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson shot and killed Brown. This event ignited national protests and helped catalyze the Black Lives Matter movement.
In the aftermath, Johnson publicly recounted his account of events and later filed a lawsuit alleging police misconduct. The Court of Appeals dismissed the suit in 2019.
Community Reaction
News of Johnson’s death prompted an outpouring of grief and social media tributes, as many remembered his prominent role in raising awareness of issues at the intersection of policing, race, and justice.
