NBC News has verified that a photo first shown on Yahoo News is indeed of the Ferguson, Mo., police officer who fatally shot unarmed teenager Michael Brown, touching off a week of angry protests that have at times turned violent.
Ferguson police on Friday released the name of the 28-year-old officer who shot Brown but also released surveillance video that appeared to show Brown robbing a clerk at a liquor store shortly before he was shot.
The officer, Darren Wilson, did not know Brown was a robbery suspect when he stopped the teen for walking in the street, Chief Thomas Jackson said.
The photo, obtained from Facebook, is from Wilson's father's page, posted on February 11 after an award ceremony where the officer earned a commendation for his “extraordinary effort in the line of duty," Yahoo reported. The father writes, "Very proud of my son, Darren Wilson on his receiving a Commendation from his Police Department. Congratulations Son."
Ferguson police have not responded to NBC News' request for comment on the photo.
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