NAACP & Congressional Black Caucus Respond to Shooting of Two Ferguson Police Officers

NAACP condemns the shooting of two Ferguson police officers

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are saddened to hear about the shootings of the two officers and offer their deepest sympathies to them and their families.

Baltimore, Md. — Two police officers were shot early Thursday morning outside the Ferguson, Mo., police department, according to a police spokesman. A 32-year-old officer from nearby Webster Groves was shot in the face and a 41-year-old officer from St. Louis County was shot in the shoulder.  Both were taken to the hospital and have been released, according to recent reports. In light of this development, the NAACP has released the following statement.

From Cornell William Brooks, NAACP President and CEO:

“The NAACP strongly condemns the senseless shooting of two Ferguson police officers. We will continue to pray for their speedy recovery. While the identity and the motive of the shooter remains unknown, in no way does the NAACP support acts of vigilante justice. Anyone bringing violence to the protest are operating outside of the goals and objectives of everyone involved in this movement.  We who believe deeply in the right to assemble peacefully condemn this form of violence and believe that the perpetrators of this act were operating outside of our movement for police reform.  Our criminal justice system is laden with in deep and divisive flaws, but we know that police officers, who risk their own safety for ours, play a critical and necessary role in keeping every community safe. The future of Ferguson will be forged by citizens who care deeply about their communities as well as police officers who strive to be seen as both protectors and community partners. The NAACP will continue to work on every front to ensure that Ferguson residents are safe and that justice is always served.”

From the Congressional Black Caucus:

Washington, DC – Today, Representative G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, issued the following statement in response to today’s shooting incident of two police officers in Ferguson:

“Members of the Congressional Black Caucus are saddened to hear about the shootings of two police officers in Ferguson earlier today and offer our deepest sympathies to them and their families.

“The CBC understands the frustrations in Ferguson, but a response of violence is not the answer during this transformative moment in our country.  Ferguson weighs heavily on our minds, and we must work together constructively to address the disparities in the criminal justice system across the country.  We call for calm in the city of Ferguson following months of unrest and tension.”