The grand jury in the Ferguson police shooting case will not reach a decision this weekend in the racially charged case despite speculation about a Sunday announcement.
While barricades went up Saturday around the Clayton, Mo., building where the grand jury has met for weeks, media reports indicated the panel would return Monday to continue its work.
White police officer Darren Wilson, 28, fatally shot black youth Michael Brown, 18, during an Aug. 9 street confrontation that ignited rioting and violence in Ferguson — the town where the shooting occurred.
While Brown was unarmed, cops insisted that Wilson only fired when the younger man came at the officer.
Authorities were bracing for another round of possible trouble if Wilson is cleared of all criminal wrongdoing in the shooting. Tension is mounting with each passing day.
The slain teen’s father, Michael Brown Sr., was out Saturday in the Canfield Green Apartments distributing dozens of Thanksgiving turkeys to local residents.
He was accompanied by the Rev. Carlton Lee, pastor of the Flood Christian Church. The two men knocked on doors unannounced to deliver the birds. Lee said the Brown family was highly stressed as it awaited the grand jury’s decision close to four months after the shooting.
“They are ready to move on with closure,” Lee said. “That’s where their mindset is right now.”
Regardless of the finding, the elder Brown will not be found in the streets once word is made public. He has already condemned in advance any looting or violence tied to the ruling.
“He won’t come out when they decide to release it,” said Lee.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency last Monday in anticipation of the grand jury decision. The panel began hearing evidence on Aug. 20.
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