Remembering Dorian Johnson
Nearly eleven years after the tragic shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, the man who stood beside him that day has been killed. Dorian Johnson, 33, was fatally shot on Sunday morning around 8:30 a.m. near a block of apartments less than a mile from where Brown’s life was taken in 2014.
Ferguson Police spokesperson Patricia Washington confirmed the details, adding that one person is currently in custody as the investigation remains active.
Importantly, authorities emphasized that this was not an officer-involved shooting, pushing back against early rumors to the contrary.
Dorian Johnson’s Role In A Defining Moment
For many, the name Dorian Johnson is forever tied to one of the most pivotal moments in modern civil rights history.
Johnson’s account of Brown’s final moments gave rise to the powerful “hands up, don’t shoot” chant that echoed across nationwide protests against police brutality in 2014.
Although investigations later revealed conflicting witness accounts about Brown’s actions, Johnson’s words helped galvanize a movement.
The chant became a rallying cry at demonstrations across the country, amplifying calls for accountability in policing and justice for Black communities.
Revisiting The Ferguson Tragedy
Michael Brown, just 18 years old, was shot and killed by White police officer Darren Wilson on August 9, 2014.
Brown was unarmed.
Wilson argued that he fired in self-defense after Brown allegedly charged at him.
Johnson, who was with Brown during the encounter, said Brown had raised his hands in surrender before the fatal shots rang out.
The Justice Department ultimately found that witness accounts varied.
Some claimed Brown was balling his fists or adjusting his pants.
While his exact movements remain disputed, Johnson’s testimony shaped the public’s understanding of the incident and fueled a wave of protest that forced the nation to confront systemic racial injustice.
Ferguson Police Today
A decade later, Ferguson itself looks different.
Police Chief Troy Doyle told CNN that Brown’s killing profoundly reshaped the department.
Today, nearly half of Ferguson’s police force is African American, compared to fewer than five officers in 2014.
Officers now undergo training on implicit bias and use of force changes implemented in the wake of the Justice Department’s conclusion that the department had engaged in discriminatory practices against Black residents.
A Life Cut Short
The news of Dorian Johnson’s death adds a tragic new chapter to a story that has long symbolized the fight for justice.
While the investigation into his killing continues, Johnson’s legacy is already written into history.
His presence that day, and the movement that grew from his account, will never be forgotten.
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Oh wow! It’s good to hear that their police department actually made a change