DeAndre Joshua: First Ferguson Riots Fatality – Man Found Shot Near Where Michael Brown Died

The first fatality of the Ferguson, Missouri, riots has occurred. The body of DeAndre Joshua, 20, was found “shot dead” inside his car. Joshua’s family believes that “somebody killed him” during the rioting, looting, and fires which began not long after the grand jury decision was announced not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown.

DeAndre Joshua’s body was found inside a car approximately 20 yards from where Brown was shot by the Ferguson police officer in August. Joshua worked at the local Walmart and was deemed a “good kid” and “not into drugs” by those who knew him.

According to DeAndre Joshua’s grandmother, Renita Towns, the young man who has become the first fatality of the Ferguson riots graduated from Beaumont High School. Police officers have towed Joshua’s white Pontiac Grand Prix away from the scene and are currently interviewing possible witnesses. One individual on the scene, who reportedly knew DeAndre Joshua, told the Daily Mail that all they knew was that the young man was going back to his car and was likely robbed.

“This incident is currently being classified as a suspicious death and will remain so until evidence allows a different classification,” St. Louis County Police officer Rick Eckhard said. A woman presumed to be DeAndre Joshua’s mother, was pacing and visibly upset near the car where the body was found, “They killed my baby,” she said.

Richard Taylor told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he saw four people with guns outside of his apartment after the Ferguson decision was announced. The man, who lives very near the crime scene, said the group was talking about looting and said they wanted to kill someone.

“I knew it was going to be true. When I got up this morning, I saw this.”

Taylor said he called the police to report the men with guns and their statements, but no officers came to the area that he saw.

“There was a lot going on last night, but I thought at least someone would show up to arrest these guys,” Taylor added.

Ferguson-area hospitals reportedly treated at least 14 people injured in the riots, which developed quickly after the Darren Wilson grand jury decision was read, according to KMOV News. St. Louis County police officers reportedly heard 150 shots fired from guns as the Ferguson riots unfolded after the Darren Wilson decision was announced to the public.

Check back with the Inquisitr for more details about DeAndre Joshua and the Ferguson riots, as additional information becomes available in the breaking news story.

[Image via: St. Louis Post-Dispatch]