WARNING: Above video contains language that may offend viewers
TORONTO – Michael Brown’s stepfather has apologized for urging Ferguson protesters to “burn this b**** down,” moments after a grand jury’s decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in Brown’s death.
Louis Head, married to Brown’s mother Lesley McSpadden, made the statement amidst a large crowd gathered outside of Ferguson police headquarters last month.
In a statement obtained by NBC News, Head apologized for the controversial comments but said he is not solely to blame for the riots.
WATCH: Michael Brown’s stepfather tells Ferguson protesters to ‘burn this b**** down’
“I was so angry and full of raw emotions, as so many others were, and granted, I screamed out words that I shouldn’t have screamed in the heat of the moment,” the statement read. “But to place blame solely on me for the conditions of our community, and country, after the grand jury decision goes way too far and is as wrong as the decision itself.”
On Tuesday, Police said they are investigating Head for the comments he said that night.
Brown’s mother was sitting atop a vehicle listening to a broadcast of the announcement. When she heard the decision, she burst into tears and began screaming before being whisked away by supporters.
The crowd erupted in anger, converging on the barricade where police in riot gear were standing. The crowd pushed down the barricade and began pelting police with objects, including a bullhorn. Officers stood their ground.
Addressing the media the following morning, Brown family lawyer Benjamin Crump said the comments and those of Brown’s mother were borne out of emotion.
“Raw emotion, not appropriate at all, completely inappropriate,” Crump said. “God forbid your child was killed the way they killed and they get that devastating announcement…and somebody put a camera in front of your face, what would be your immediate reaction?”
“Don’t condemn them for being human,” Crump added.
There were 61 arrests in Ferguson the night the jury announced its decision.
Several stores and buildings were also looted and set ablaze.
– with files from The Associated Press
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