Source: Orjan F. Ellingvag / Getty
Many images have become iconic in showing emerging protests across America. One image is the picture of Edward Crawford, Jr. during the Ferguson uprising. He could be seen throwing a tear gas canister away from protestors as he wears a shirt with the American flag. See below:
Since 2014, the photo has inspired many, but unfortunately, we’ve now lost the man in the image.
On Thursday evening, Crawford was found dead in his car with what appeared to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the medical examiner’s office labeled Crawford’s death a suicide.
A police summary reports that Crawford was in the car with two women when the gun went off. The women told police that Crawford started expressing how depressed he was. They allegedly heard him rummaging around for something, when suddenly he shot himself.
Crawford’s father, 52, thinks the shooting was accidental and not intentional. “I don’t believe it was a suicide,” he said. His father say investigators have yet to reveal more details , “They’re being hush-hush.” He stressed that he doesn’t believe his son was suicidal: “He was wonderful, great, always in a good mood. He just got a new apartment and was training for a new job.”
Crawford was 27 years old and left four children behind. You can watch him reflect on his famous Ferguson image below. “This attention that we’re getting, I just hope that we turn it into something positive,” he said. “With the attention, I hope our voices are heard and I hope our pain is felt by America.”
R.I.P Edward Crawford, Jr.
Edward Crawford, Man In Iconic Ferguson Protest Image, Dies At 27 was originally published on globalgrind.com
