Missouri police are steeling themselves for a grand jury’s decision on whether to charge the white police officer who fatally shot an unarmed black 18-year-old this summer in a St. Louis suburb.
Officers are stockpiling riot gear and taking refresher courses on constitutional rights in the event that Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson is not indicted for the Aug. 9 death of Michael Brown, The Associated Press reported.
The decision could be made public within the next month, according to AP.
“I know there’s a lot of anxiety, there’s a lot of fear, anticipation” about the announcement, Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson told AP, adding he has “a lot of hope” for a peaceful situation.
An independent autopsy revealed that Brown died after being shot six times, including twice in the head.
Witnesses say the officer fired after the teen put his hands up and pleaded with the officer not to shoot. The officer claims he fired after Brown charged toward him.
Another autopsy report that was recently leaked showed Brown had marijuana in his system and was shot in the hand at close range. Wilson has alleged Brown attempted to grab his gun in the police vehicle.
