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Black teenager Antonio Martin shot dead by police on gas station forecourt two miles from Ferguson Black teenager Antonio Martin shot dead by police on gas station forecourt two miles from Ferguson
(35 minutes later)
An 18-year-old black man, locally named as Antonio Martin, has been shot dead by a police officer at a petrol station in St Louis, Missouri. Missouri teenager Antonio Martin has been shot dead by a police officer at a petrol station in St Louis, Missouri.
The young man, identified by his mother Toni Martin, had been shot in a Mobil gas station forecourt at around 11pm on the 23rd in the suburb of Berkeley — just two miles from Ferguson, where teenager Michael Brown's death by police gunfire sparked riots. The 18-year-old, identified by his mother Toni Martin, was shot in a Mobil gas station forecourt at around 1am local time on Christmas Eve in the suburb of Berkeley after reportedly pulling a gun on the officer.
In an official statement, Missouri police said Martin was armed and had drawn a gun on the officer who, "fearing for his life", fired several times. In an official statement, St Louis police spokesman Sgt Brian Schellman said Martin was one of two men that had approached a police officer.
It claims Martin's gun has been recovered at the scene. Martin had drawn a gun on the officer who, "fearing for his life", fired several times.
Here's what police are saying about the #AntonioMartin shooting @kmoxnews pic.twitter.com/p87N5pE3Ss The second man fled the scene, and Martin's gun has been recovered, the police have said.
Martin, formerly a student at Jennings Senior High School in St Louis, was reportedly with his best friend Jesus Christo at the time he was shot. A crowd of around 100 people have arrived at the scene, and an impromptu protest appears to be escalating.
I can't believe my best friend just died in front of me #AntonioMartin Livestreams show protesters confronting police officers, shouting accusations and insults.
Chisto's version of events, told to The Huffington Post via Twitter DM, contradicts the official police line.
He said they had been stopped by an officer who claimed they fit the description of reported robbery suspects.
The officer tried to search Martin, who refused, and then withdrew his gun and told the teenagers to lay on the ground.
"The officer then began to step back from us with his gun still aimed at us," he said.
"He told Antonio to lay down once again and when Antonio didn't lay down the officer opened fire.
"And when I tried to get up to help my friend he screamed at me to stay down with his weapon still drawn."
A crowd of people arrived at the scene, and an impromptu protest appears to be escalating.
Local journalist Andrew Westmoreland tweeted: "Police suiting up in riot gear now at #AntonioMartin shooting site."Local journalist Andrew Westmoreland tweeted: "Police suiting up in riot gear now at #AntonioMartin shooting site."
#BerkeleyMO police suiting up in riot gear now at #AntonioMartin shooting site.#BerkeleyMO police suiting up in riot gear now at #AntonioMartin shooting site.
An altercation between police and protesters in which someone hurled a firework into a crowd has been caught on film. An altercation between police and protesters in which someone hurled a stun grenade or firework into a crowd has been caught on film.
  
Multiple arrests have been made and one person has been tasered by police officers, it has been reported.Multiple arrests have been made and one person has been tasered by police officers, it has been reported.
Users on Twitter have alleged that Martin remained alive for a period of time - between 30 minutes and two hours - before emergency services arrived.Users on Twitter have alleged that Martin remained alive for a period of time - between 30 minutes and two hours - before emergency services arrived.
 
Martin's mother, hysterical at the news of his death, has been filmed saying: "They started shooting. That's my baby."Martin's mother, hysterical at the news of his death, has been filmed saying: "They started shooting. That's my baby."
  UPDATE: An earlier version had referred to tweets and testimony from Jesus Christo, who falsely claimed to be Martin's best friend.
 
This story is being updated as new details emergeThis story is being updated as new details emerge