'Ferguson protest shooters are criminals'

onnaedo

March 13, 2015 3:08 PM

Obama said the protesters had "legitimate grievances" but described the shooters as "criminals" who should be arrested

The United States president, Barack Obama has condemned the Ferguson shooting which saw 2 police officers shot in the face and shoulder.

Obama said the protesters had "legitimate grievances" but described the shooters as "criminals" who should be arrested, BBC reports.

Obama made this known on the Jimmy Kimmel Live programme on ABC:

"I think that what had been happening in Ferguson was oppressive and objectionable and was worthy of protest. But there was no excuse for criminal acts. Whoever fired those shots shouldn't detract from the issue; they're criminals"

The shooting had happened during a demonstration outside the Ferguson police station after it was announced the Ferguson Police Chief, Thomas Jackson would resign.

The Police Chief had quit one week after a Justice Department report alleged widespread racial bias in his department and the city's court system.

In the course of the protest, an officer had been shot in the face while another was shot in the shoulder. They have since been released from hospital.

The protests are the latest of many in the city since officer, Darren Wilson shot dead Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, last year.

onnaedo