Obama briefed on violence in Missouri

8/14/2014

EDGARTOWN, Mass.  — The White House says President Barack Obama is being briefed on the situation in a St. Louis suburb where police used tear gas and smoke bombs to repel protesters.

The demonstrations in Ferguson, Missouri, have been sparked by the death of an unarmed teenager who was shot by a police officer. The officer is white and 18-year-old Michael Brown was black.

Obama was expected to speak about the situation today from Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts island where he is vacationing. His remarks were expected to follow his second briefing on the matter in as many days.

The White House says Obama was being briefed by Attorney General Eric Holder and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, both of whom are also on Martha’s Vineyard.

Earlier in the week, the president issued a statement saying that Brown’s death is stirring “strong passions,” and he appealed for reflection.