St. Louis police shoot dead a black male only miles from Ferguson

St. Louis police shot and killed a 23-year-old black man who they say aggressively approached them with a knife shouting .
By RYAN GORMAN
St. Louis police fatally shot an African-American man only four-miles from where unarmed black teenager Michael Brown was killed only 10 days ago by a white officer.

The man aggressively approached police brandishing a knife and repeatedly shouted "shoot me now," St. Louis police chief Sam Dotson said as he recounted what witnesses told investigators shortly after the disturbing lunchtime incident.

The 23-year-old suspect entered a convenience store, stole multiple items including energy drinks, said Dotson. A large crowd soon gathered and began shouting derisive comments as a Tuesday afternoon press conference unfolded only minutes after the shooting.

Dotson said he does not believe there to be any surveillance footage of the man wielding the knife or shouting at police, and asked any witnesses who may have captured pictures or cell phone video of the incident to come forward.

Two officers immediately responded to the scene and drew the weapons, said Dotson. They shouted verbal commands for the suspect to stand down and only opened fire to defend themselves only when he was within lethal range.

"Our policy is at the end of the day, the officer should be able to go home," Dotson told the gathered crowd. "If a person is charging you with a knife, that's a lethal range."

Dotson responded to questions of whether the incident was an officer-assisted suicide by saying the investigation is ongoing. He also declined to comment on reports the suspect was mentally challenged.

Protesters could be heard shouting at Dotson: "Why did they gun him down?"

They also chanted: "Hands up! Don't shoot!" A refrain started among those protesting Brown's shooting death in nearby Ferguson.

"The last thing we need is violence in our neighborhood... no silliness over here," St. Louis city alderman Antonio French pleaded with the angry crowd. "You ain't alone like they are in Ferguson."

The shooting happened on the city's north side just miles from where Brown, whose funeral is set for Monday, was shot dead August 9 by Ferguson cop Darren Wilson.

The large crowd gathered within minutes of the gunfire and already began drawing comparisons to the Brown incident. Several dozen locals congregated on the sidewalk and across the street.

The officers have been placed on administrative duty pending an investigation.