Dorian Johnson, a witness to the 2014 police shooting death of Black teen Michael Brown, was killed by gunfire in Ferguson, Missouri, authorities said.
Johnson’s account of Brown’s death inspired the chant at protests against police brutality nationwide: “Hands up, don’t shoot!”
Police were called to a residential area where Johnson, 33, had been shot at around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to local NBC affiliate KSDK. He was reportedly taken to a hospital and died that day.
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith said in a statement that the shooting appears to have stemmed from a domestic dispute, with the alleged shooter claiming self-defense. The individual was taken into custody but released when no charges were filed after 24 hours.
“The investigation remains active,” Smith said. “The Ferguson Police Department is engaged in ongoing consultation with the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office regarding possible criminal charges. We will announce any charging decisions made regarding this matter of evident public interest.”
