Mansur Ball-Bey, the black 18-year-old killed by white St. Louis officers earlier this week, died from a single gunshot in the back, according to an autopsy report.
The autopsy's findings were
first reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The investigation of the shooting is ongoing.
However, St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson tells the Post-Dispatch that the location of the fatal wound does not confirm or contradict the officers' account that Ball-Bey pointed a gun at them before he was shot.
" 'Just because he was shot in the back doesn't mean he was running away,' Dotson said. 'It could be, and I'm not saying that it doesn't mean that. I just don't know yet.' "
As St. Louis Public Radio reports, police officers were attempting to serve a warrant Wednesday when
"two young black males armed with guns"
As we reported, Ball-Bey's death
ignited a fresh round of clashes
Dotson defended police tactics Wednesday night when they made nine arrests and fired tear gas at protesters.
Tensions in the St. Louis area remain high. This latest incident comes less than two weeks after mourners marked the anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, who was killed by a white police officer last year in nearby Ferguson, Mo.
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