ST. LOUIS — The Missouri police chief whose officer fatally shot an unarmed 18-year-old last month released a video Thursday apologizing to the family and the community, saying that Michael Brown’s body remained in the street for too long after he was killed.
The video featuring Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson was released by a public relations agency on the same day Brown’s parents were in Washington pressing for a full federal investigation. A state grand jury is considering whether criminal charges are warranted, but a decision isn’t expected for several weeks.
Brown was unarmed when he was fatally shot Aug. 9 during a confrontation with Officer Darren Wilson, and his body remained in the street for more than four hours. At the time, police said they needed the time to gather evidence.
“But it was just too long, and I’m truly sorry for that,” Jackson said on the video. “Please know that the investigating officers meant no disrespect to the Brown family, to the African-American community or the people of Canfield (Drive). They were simply trying to do their jobs.”
To the Brown family, Jackson said: “I’m truly sorry for the loss of your son.”
