THE parents of the black teenager gunned down by police in Ferguson, Missouri, have rejected an apology by the city's top policeman, saying he should be sacked and the white officer who shot their son arrested.
Michael Brown's mother Lesley McSpadden said "Yes" when asked if Chief Tom Jackson should be fired and his father Michael said rather than an apology, they would prefer to see Officer Darren Wilson arrested for the death of their 18-year-old son on August 9, which sparked widespread rioting.
Mr Brown said: "An apology would be when Darren Wilson has handcuffs, [is]processed and charged with murder."
The shooting of the unarmed teenager sparked days of violent protests and racial unrest in the predominantly black community.
Some residents and civil rights activists have said responding police officers were overly aggressive, noting their use of tear gas and military vehicles and gear. The shooting and police response to the protests stoked a national discourse about police tactics and race.
Mr Brown called the looting that has been interspersed with the protests "disrespectful", but said: "First Amendment protesting? They have that right."
Meanhile, a Ferguson officer was shot in the arm after encountering two suspects at a community centre over the weekend. It is not thought to be linked to the protests.
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