FERGUSON, Mo. — The Ferguson Police Department has confirmed that one man was killed in a shooting on Sunday morning, with investigators now working to determine the circumstances surrounding the city’s latest homicide. The victim has been identified as Dorian Johnson, who was nationally known as the friend of Michael Brown Jr., the unarmed teenager fatally shot by a Ferguson police officer in 2014.
Shooting Reported on Abaco Drive
According to officials, officers were dispatched at approximately 8:30 a.m. on September 7, 2025, to the 9000 block of Abaco Drive following reports of shots fired.
Upon arrival, officers located Johnson suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite emergency medical assistance, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Suspect in Custody
Police confirmed that one individual has been taken into custody in connection with the shooting. However, investigators emphasized that the case remains active, and no formal charges have yet been announced.
The Ferguson Police Department encouraged anyone with information to contact its detectives at (314) 522-3100.
Rumors Dispelled
Shortly after the shooting, speculation circulated online suggesting that the incident may have involved law enforcement. Ferguson Police issued a clear statement refuting those claims.
“Earlier rumors suggesting this was an officer-involved shooting are incorrect,” officials said. “No officers — from Ferguson or otherwise — were involved in this incident other than to initiate the investigation.”
Community Reaction and Historical Context
The homicide comes in a city still marked by the events of August 9, 2014, when Michael Brown Jr. was fatally shot by Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson. The shooting sparked nationwide protests and placed Ferguson at the center of a national conversation about race, policing, and justice.
Johnson, who was walking alongside Brown on that day, became a key figure in the aftermath of the shooting and was thrust into the national spotlight. For years, he remained an outspoken voice in discussions about police reform, accountability, and the experiences of young Black men in America.
His death has reignited conversations about Ferguson’s ongoing struggles with violence and the long shadow cast by the events of 2014.
Investigation Continues
The Ferguson Police Department, along with St. Louis County authorities, are continuing their investigation. Officials have not yet confirmed a motive or whether Johnson and the suspect were acquainted.
Residents in the Abaco Drive area reported being shaken by the gunfire. Many expressed frustration that gun violence continues to impact their neighborhoods more than a decade after Ferguson first drew international attention.
Remembering Dorian Johnson
As the investigation unfolds, community members are remembering Johnson not just as a witness to history, but as a man who lived under immense public scrutiny while continuing to raise his voice on issues of justice.
“He carried a heavy burden since 2014,” one community activist said. “It’s heartbreaking to see his life end this way.”
Family members have asked for privacy as they process the sudden and tragic loss.
Call for Information
Police are urging the public to come forward with any additional details that could aid the case. Tips can be directed to Ferguson detectives at (314) 522-3100.
Authorities say updates will be shared with the public as more information becomes available.
Leave a Reply