Authorities confirmed that at least six individuals were injured in a shooting that occurred during a funeral for a teenage boy in Ferguson, Missouri, on Wednesday.
According to the Ferguson Police Department, they responded to a 911 call regarding gunfire at Cotton Branch Funeral Home just before noon. Police Chief Troy Doyle stated during a press conference that officers arrived within minutes to find the scene in “complete chaos.”
Three people sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, while additional injuries occurred as the aftermath unfolded. Doyle noted that the gunfire originated outside the venue, but it might have been fired inside as well.
The funeral, attended by hundreds for the 18-year-old boy, quickly turned tumultuous.
Authorities have apprehended several individuals of interest and recovered various firearms related to the incident. “It’s truly tragic whenever a shooting happens. It’s unfortunate, particularly since people gather at funerals to mourn loved ones,” Doyle mentioned. It remains uncertain how many assailants were involved or what specifically triggered the shooting.
Ferguson, a small city located about 16 miles northwest of downtown St. Louis, gained significant media attention in 2014 following the police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. While the Justice Department ruled that shooting as self-defense, it ignited extensive protests and led to ongoing scrutiny of the local police department.
