It didn’t take long for some critics to try to change the story of admitted Ferguson cop shooter Jeffrey Williams from criminal to victim.
Several media personalities and prominent Ferguson activists are already claiming Williams was roughed up by police and trying to downplay his involvement in the protests that have gripped the city since 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed by police officer Darren Wilson in August.
Among the most vocal was Wesley Lowery of the Washington Post, who has taken to Twitter to voice his concerns.
“Asked 4 protest regulars if they’ve ever seen/met Jeffrey Williams. Their text responses: ‘No’ ‘Hell no’ ‘Nope. No’ ‘Never,’” he wrote Sunday, the day Williams was arrested. “That’s not to say he’s never protested in Ferguson – literally hundreds maybe thousands have – but safe to say he’s not a regular.”
That’s a strange conclusion to draw after only speaking to four people out of, what he admits are, thousands of protesters.
Asked 4 protest regulars if they’ve ever seen/met Jeffrey Williams. Their text responses: “No” “Hell no” “Nope. No” “Never”
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) March 15, 2015
That’s not to say he’s never protested in Ferguson – literally hundreds maybe thousands have – but safe to say he’s not a regular.
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) March 15, 2015
Fwiw: as someone who has spent a lot of hours at Ferguson protests, I’ve never seen that guy. But, I’ve been out of town for awhile
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) March 15, 2015
USA Today’s Yamiche Alcindor, the Los Angeles Times’ Matt Pearce and others joined Lowery in pushing the narrative.
I’m still looking for anyone who has seen or interacted with Jeffrey Williams. So far frequent protesters say they’ve never seen him.
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 15, 2015
Here’s the issue: Anyone can say they are a protester and be correct. It’s how you self-identify. But was Williams a regular? Don’t think so
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) March 15, 2015
Judging from what I and other reporters remember, and some prominent activists, this guy was no mainstay, if he had ever protested at all.
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) March 15, 2015
Jeffrey Williams’ girlfriend talks to the Post-Dispatch. Consistent with what I’m seeing. http://t.co/Nq9TNRgoxQ pic.twitter.com/Y5nvjbVwKG
— Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) March 15, 2015
But they weren’t done with changing the story.
Lowery returned to Twitter later Sunday night to report that Bishop Derrick Robinson of Kingdom of Destiny Fellowship now claimed Williams was roughed up by police after he surrendered.
“According to Robinson, Williams was beaten by police last night, and his chest and body covered in bruises that the minister says he saw,” Lowery wrote, before adding, “Per Robinson, Williams claims he was robbed and ‘shot in the air’ at robber. Regrets that shots hit police officers.”
Its hard to believe someone could “shoot in the air” and hit two police officers.
Its even harder to believe it when you look at the violent, cop-hating posts on Robinson’s own Facebook page.
What does seem probable from the tweets since this “news” was reported is that it is likely to be enough to give the protesters yet another reason to stay out there protesting.
As he’s told everyone else, Bishop Derek Robinson tells me Jeffrey Williams told him he had never attended a protest prior to Wednesday
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) March 15, 2015
Per Robinson, Williams claims he was robbed and “shot in the air” at robber. Regrets that shots hit police officers
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) March 15, 2015
According to Robinson, Williams was beaten by police last night, and his chest and body covered in bruises that the minister says he saw
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) March 15, 2015
Robinson – who is one of the most frequent protesters – says he’s seen Williams once before, at a church event. Never at a Ferguson protest
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) March 15, 2015
Disclaimer for bloggers who don’t understand this: this is me reporting what a named source said in interview, not me weighing in personally
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) March 15, 2015
And it seems that the police physically assaulted Jeffrey Williams, which resulted in bruises, even though he peacefully surrendered.
— deray mckesson (@deray) March 15, 2015
@deray so beat into submission probably no lawyer present & Miranda rights weren’t administered w/ forced confession, all allegedly though
— Stephen J. (@blackismy) March 15, 2015
That sounds like a good, fake narrative to run with.
@WesleyLowery Well there goes his any evidentiary admission of a voluntary confession.
— Tara Ganguly (@tara_ganguly) March 15, 2015
Fortunately some people easily saw past the spin.
@WesleyLowery Next we are going on live with hitler so we can hear his take on jews.
— Steven (@Stevenb2) March 15, 2015
@SugarcubeDog @WesleyLowery Perhaps the police were just shadowing boxing and accidentally hit you, like your bullets accidentally hit them
— Cameron Catia (@gilla5490) March 16, 2015
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