• U.S.

Ferguson Shooter Is a ‘Damn Punk,’ Eric Holder Says

2 minute read
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivers remarks about the shooting of two police officers in Ferguson, Missouri, while announcing the first six pilot sites for the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice at the Department of Justice March 12, 2015 in Washington, DC.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivers remarks about the shooting of two police officers in Ferguson, Mo., while announcing the first six pilot sites for the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on March 12, 2015Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
By Noah Rayman

The gunman who wounded two police officers in Ferguson, Mo., is a “damn punk,” Attorney General Eric Holder said Thursday.

The two officers were shot early Thursday morning at a protest in front of the Ferguson Police Department after the Ferguson police chief announced his resignation in the wake of a excoriating Department of Justice report that found widespread racial bias among the city’s police. The shooter was still at large as of Thursday afternoon.

“This was not someone trying to bring healing to Ferguson,” Holder said at a gathering for the Justice Department’s launch of a pilot program to build trust between law enforcement and local communities. “This was a damn punk who was trying to sow discord in an area that’s trying to get its act together and trying to bring together a community that has been fractured for too long.”

The Attorney General reiterated a statement he released earlier in the day condemning the “heinous attack” and offering the support of the Justice Department and the FBI.

He also said that local law enforcement in Ferguson has made “good faith steps” since the release of the Justice Department report last week.

“But make no mistake, we still have a long way to go to bring about this systemic change that is needed and that is long overdue in that area,” he said. “But I think the earlier indications have truly been positive.”

Read next: The Road from Selma to Ferguson

Witness the Aftermath of 2 Police Shot in Ferguson

Police officers stand on alert during a protests outside the Ferguson Police Department on March 11, 2015 in Ferguson, Mo.
Police officers stand on alert during a protests outside the Ferguson Police Department on March 11, 2015 in Ferguson, Mo. Michael B. Thomas—Getty Images
A protester chants in front of a flag which reads, "Racism lives here", outside the City of Ferguson Police Department and Municipal Court in Ferguson, March 11, 2015.
A protester chants in front of a flag which reads, "Racism lives here", outside the City of Ferguson Police Department and Municipal Court in Ferguson, March 11, 2015.Kate Munsch—Reuters
Police arrests a protestor outside the City of Ferguson Police Department and Municipal Court in Ferguson, March 11, 2015.
Police arrests a protestor outside the City of Ferguson Police Department and Municipal Court in Ferguson, March 11, 2015.Kate Munsch—Reuters
Protestors hold signs during a protest outside the Ferguson Police Department on March11, 2015 in Ferguson.
Protestors hold signs during a protest outside the Ferguson Police Department on March 11, 2015 in Ferguson.Michael B. Thomas—Getty Images
Police officers respond to a fellow officer hit by gunfire outside the Ferguson Police Headquarters in Ferguson
Police officers respond to a fellow officer hit by gunfire outside the Ferguson Police Headquarters in Ferguson, Mo. on March 12, 2014.Lawrence Bryant—St. Louis American/Reuters
Two officers shot
Police take cover after two officers were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station on Thursday, March 12, 2015. Laurie Skrivan—AP
Police mobilize in the parking lot of the Ferguson Police Station after two police officers were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station, March 12, 2015.
Police mobilize in the parking lot of the Ferguson Police Station after two police officers were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station, March 12, 2015. Laurie Skrivan—St Louis Post Dispatch/Polaris
Paramedics load one of two police officer who were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station during a protest on March 12, 2015.
Paramedics load one of two police officer who were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station during a protest on March 12, 2015. Laurie Skrivan—St Louis Post Dispatch/Polaris
APTOPIX Killings by Police Ferguson
Police shine a light on a helmet as they investigate the scene where two police officers were shot outside the Ferguson Police Department Thursday, March 12, 2015, in Ferguson, Mo.Jeff Roberson—AP
Police guard the corner off Adams Street and South Florissant Rd after two officers were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station on March 12, 2015.
Police guard the corner off Adams Street and South Florissant Rd after two officers were shot while standing guard in front of the Ferguson Police Station on March 12, 2015. Laurie Skrivan—St Louis Post Dispatch/Polaris

Listen to the most important stories of the day.

More Must-Reads from TIME

Write to Noah Rayman at noah.rayman@time.com