
Vonderrit Myers, pictured, was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer last October. (Photo: Ferguson Action)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Vonderrit Myers, pictured, was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer last October. (Photo: Ferguson Action)
The off-duty police officer who fatally shot black 18-year-old Vonderrit Myers in Shaw, Missouri last October will not be charged in his death.
Myers' killing, which occurred shortly after the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson, fueled growing civil rights protests. Officer Jason Flanery shot at Myers 17 times on the night of October 8, hitting him six times in the back of the legs and once in the face, according to the forensic pathologist who conducted Myers' autopsy.
Activists assembled in Kiener Plaza in St. Louis on Tuesday to march in protest against the decision not to charge Flanery. On Twitter, reactions came under the hashtag #VonderritMyers.
\u201cSee, when #VonDerritMyers was killed, we were still protesting to convince the world that police violence was an epidemic. And here we are.\u201d— deray (@deray) 1431993628
\u201cYou need to know his name. You need to know he loved and you need to know I will always fight for #VonderritMyers \n\nBecause he matters!\u201d— Kayla Reed (@Kayla Reed) 1432007464
St. Louis circuit attorney Jennifer Joyce's report, released on Monday, said that a criminal violation could not be proven "beyond a reasonable doubt."
According to STL Today, Flanery had told investigators the incidents started "when three youths ran from his marked security car, one of them holding his hand against his body as if securing a gun. The officer did not catch them, and approached Myers shortly later, believing it was the same person. But Myers was wearing a GPS monitor on his ankle as a condition of his bail on charges from June 27 of unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest. 'Based on this GPS information, it appears Myers was not the person Officer X was chasing...' the prosecutor's report says."
Jerryl Christmas, the lawyer representing Myers' family, disputed the official account of the shooting. The family has consistently denied that Myers had a gun and said he had been holding a sandwich. Christmas, who plans to file a civil suit on behalf of the family, told the LA Times that he believes a gun recovered from the scene, said to be Myers', was planted.
"Flanery is lying when he said he was in a gun battle," Christmas said. "He shot this boy seven times from behind."
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
The off-duty police officer who fatally shot black 18-year-old Vonderrit Myers in Shaw, Missouri last October will not be charged in his death.
Myers' killing, which occurred shortly after the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson, fueled growing civil rights protests. Officer Jason Flanery shot at Myers 17 times on the night of October 8, hitting him six times in the back of the legs and once in the face, according to the forensic pathologist who conducted Myers' autopsy.
Activists assembled in Kiener Plaza in St. Louis on Tuesday to march in protest against the decision not to charge Flanery. On Twitter, reactions came under the hashtag #VonderritMyers.
\u201cSee, when #VonDerritMyers was killed, we were still protesting to convince the world that police violence was an epidemic. And here we are.\u201d— deray (@deray) 1431993628
\u201cYou need to know his name. You need to know he loved and you need to know I will always fight for #VonderritMyers \n\nBecause he matters!\u201d— Kayla Reed (@Kayla Reed) 1432007464
St. Louis circuit attorney Jennifer Joyce's report, released on Monday, said that a criminal violation could not be proven "beyond a reasonable doubt."
According to STL Today, Flanery had told investigators the incidents started "when three youths ran from his marked security car, one of them holding his hand against his body as if securing a gun. The officer did not catch them, and approached Myers shortly later, believing it was the same person. But Myers was wearing a GPS monitor on his ankle as a condition of his bail on charges from June 27 of unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest. 'Based on this GPS information, it appears Myers was not the person Officer X was chasing...' the prosecutor's report says."
Jerryl Christmas, the lawyer representing Myers' family, disputed the official account of the shooting. The family has consistently denied that Myers had a gun and said he had been holding a sandwich. Christmas, who plans to file a civil suit on behalf of the family, told the LA Times that he believes a gun recovered from the scene, said to be Myers', was planted.
"Flanery is lying when he said he was in a gun battle," Christmas said. "He shot this boy seven times from behind."
The off-duty police officer who fatally shot black 18-year-old Vonderrit Myers in Shaw, Missouri last October will not be charged in his death.
Myers' killing, which occurred shortly after the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson, fueled growing civil rights protests. Officer Jason Flanery shot at Myers 17 times on the night of October 8, hitting him six times in the back of the legs and once in the face, according to the forensic pathologist who conducted Myers' autopsy.
Activists assembled in Kiener Plaza in St. Louis on Tuesday to march in protest against the decision not to charge Flanery. On Twitter, reactions came under the hashtag #VonderritMyers.
\u201cSee, when #VonDerritMyers was killed, we were still protesting to convince the world that police violence was an epidemic. And here we are.\u201d— deray (@deray) 1431993628
\u201cYou need to know his name. You need to know he loved and you need to know I will always fight for #VonderritMyers \n\nBecause he matters!\u201d— Kayla Reed (@Kayla Reed) 1432007464
St. Louis circuit attorney Jennifer Joyce's report, released on Monday, said that a criminal violation could not be proven "beyond a reasonable doubt."
According to STL Today, Flanery had told investigators the incidents started "when three youths ran from his marked security car, one of them holding his hand against his body as if securing a gun. The officer did not catch them, and approached Myers shortly later, believing it was the same person. But Myers was wearing a GPS monitor on his ankle as a condition of his bail on charges from June 27 of unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest. 'Based on this GPS information, it appears Myers was not the person Officer X was chasing...' the prosecutor's report says."
Jerryl Christmas, the lawyer representing Myers' family, disputed the official account of the shooting. The family has consistently denied that Myers had a gun and said he had been holding a sandwich. Christmas, who plans to file a civil suit on behalf of the family, told the LA Times that he believes a gun recovered from the scene, said to be Myers', was planted.
"Flanery is lying when he said he was in a gun battle," Christmas said. "He shot this boy seven times from behind."