(Congress Report) – A pair of extremely graphic videos have been released showing a Ferguson, Missouri law enforcement officer being knocked over violently during a protest held in honor of Michael Brown. The officer was left in critical condition by the attack. The assault and protest that facilitated it, came 10 days ahead of the Democratic National Convention. One of the individuals arrested in the incident was Keith Rose, a St. Louis alternate delegate for the DNC, who also served as a member of the City of St. Louis’ Civilian Oversight Board. The purpose of the board is to review allegations of police misconduct.
In light of his arrest, Rose pulled out of being an alternate delegate for the DNC, according to Fox News.
“Keith Rose has decided to voluntarily withdraw as an uncommitted alternate delegate to the DNC,” the Missouri Democratic Party announced in a statement.
“The new videos, taken from two different angles, show Ferguson Police Officer Travis Brown apparently being hit by 28-year-old suspect Elijah Gantt on a sidewalk outside a police station after protesters attempted to pull down a perimeter fence. Police say Brown is “fighting for his life” after being critically injured in an assault during protests on the 10th anniversary of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown,” the report revealed.
“The newly released video, taken from CCTV and another police officer’s bodycam, was played at a news conference Tuesday and shows the suspect had a running start when he ran down the officer, whose head violently struck the pavement. Officer Brown was unconscious and prone on his back with the suspect lying on his chest as other officers quickly arrived and jumped on the suspect,” Fox’s article detailed.
Officer Brown, a father to twin daughters, ended up suffering a severe brain injury after hitting his head during the fall. At this point, he may never really go back to being the way he was before. These monsters who assaulted him have altered not only his life, but those of his family members too. It’s a tragic turn of events to say the least.
“I think it’s a clear indication that my officer was charged and was hit violently by this individual,” Police Chief Troy Doyle remarked on Tuesday. “If you look at the video, the officer is standing up, waiting to catch this guy. This guy tackled my guy like he’s a football player.”
A large number of individuals out of the 150 who were at the news conference, including three dozen officers, along with mayors from several surrounding cities, audibly gasped upon seeing the savage attack. Gantt, who hails from East St. Louis, was already charged with assault and is now facing a new charge of assault for allegedly kicking another cop in his head, as per St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell. The cash-only bail for Gantt is currently set at $500,000.
Most of the protesters on Friday were peaceful for the majority of the evening. The local officers at the event even allowed them to block streets outside of the station. They also did not intervene when the protesters started to shake the fence. Honestly, it seems like the police were more than accommodating and calm in this situation, despite the hatred of those who showed up at the demonstration.
“But Doyle said that when protesters broke the fence, destroying property on police grounds, he sent out an arrest team, which included Officer Brown, who is Black. Rose, the DNC delegate, is accused of kicking in part a metal gate outside the Ferguson Police Department during the protest and is now charged with first-degree property damage. He’s free on a $500 bond, FOX 2 reports. His attorney labeled the charges as bogus and said Rose was not involved in damaging the fence, according to the outlet,” the piece noted.
Travis Brown started his career with the department back in January and had previously served with the St. Louis County Police Department. Fox divulged that he was part of a wave of black law enforcement officers hired since 2014. At that time, there were only three black officers on the force. However, the department is now 50 percent black.
“He wanted to be part of the change,” Doyle explained at a weekend press briefing. “He wanted to make an impact in our community. He’s the type of officer that we want in our community. And what happens? He gets assaulted. I had to look his mother in the eye and tell her what happened to her son. I’m never going to do that again, I promise you that.”
Enough is enough—powerful words from Ferguson Police Chief Doyle.
Our prayers continue to be with the Ferguson Police Department as one of their own is fighting for his life. #BackTheBlue pic.twitter.com/nvCHqd300c
— Mike Kehoe (@MikeLKehoe) August 11, 2024
The family of Officer Brown put out a statement addressing the incident and heaped praise on first responders and those in the community showing them support.
“We are holding onto hope and trusting in the power of faith to see him through this difficult time,” the statement read. “Travis is more than a police officer; he is a devoted father, son, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend. A man of strong faith, his heart is as big as his smile, and his positive energy is truly contagious. TJ is also an athlete, an adventurer, a lover of movies, and so much more. We know he is determined to continue living life to the fullest once he has recovered.”
Thoughts and prayers for Officer Brown and his family.
Copyright 2024. CongressReport.com
Prayers and best wishes for the Officer and his family from the UK.
I hope this piece of detritus gets the book thrown at him.
Another example of Democrat brutality, no matter what it may look like or even be. Wake up!
🙏🙏🙏 for this officer and his family! What a shame and these evil doers will keep on doing this before the election gets here!