Crash scene(Photo: KUSA)
DENVER — Protesters marching against the Ferguson grand jury decision
cheered and chanted "hit him again" after four Denver police officers were hit by a runaway car, police union officials say.
Several other police sources told KUSA that there is evidence and witnesses to the fact that some marchers cheered after the officers were struck Wednesday.
The Denver Police Protective Association condemned the cheering in a statement released Thursday.
"These actions are not only reprehensible but quite possibly the most disturbing thing this association has ever heard," the statement said.
The union and police sources did not specify how many protesters they believed were involved.
USATODAY
Denver high school students walk out in Ferguson protest
Students from East High School walked out of class Wednesday to protest the grand jury decision not to indict Ferguson, Mo., police Officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown.
Denver police allowed the marchers to proceed, blocking traffic at intersections to keep the student protesters safe.
During the march, a driver who police say had a medical issue behind the wheel struck four officers who were on bicycles. The most seriously injured, Officer John Adsit, underwent hours of surgery Wednesday and remains in critical condition.
Police said Thursday they cannot independently confirm claims that students cheered after the officers were struck.
East senior Ivy Lindstrom said she didn't hear fellow protesters cheering the officers' injuries but would not be surprised if a small number did something inappropriate.
"There are always a couple of agitators in the crowd," Lindstrom said. "When the story came out that protesters cheered, it upset me because it puts the people who protested down and makes us look like uneducated youth, when in fact we were very respectful and were very troubled when the officers were hit."
Denver Public Schools released a statement Thursday saying officials there had no knowledge of the alleged comments.
"We would deplore any such comments and will look into the allegation," the statement said.
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