Michael Brown-Linked Brawl Sparks Probe

FERGUSON, Mo. (CN) - Police are investigating an assault allegedly involving Michael Brown's mother that happened Saturday.

The incident happened at about 8:15 p.m. in the parking lot of a barbeque restaurant, just blocks where Brown was killed.

KTVI-TV reported that Brown's grandmother Pearlie Gordon was selling T-shirts and other Michael Brown merchandise with Brown's cousin Tony Petty.

A car pulled up and several people got out, including Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, according to a police report. A witness described McSpadden yelling: "You can't sell this shit."

One of the relatives who was selling the merchandise is said to have demanded McSpadden show a document proving she had a patent, at which point an unidentified person with McSpadden assaulted Petty with a metal pipe or pole.

A 911 call ensued, KTVI reported.

Medics then took Petty to a hospital. A witness said the assault suspect grabbed merchandise and a box of cash believed to contain about $1,400.

Anthony D. Gray, an attorney for the Brown family, declined to comment to KTVI.

The fatal shooting of Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old black teenager, by white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9, sparked nearly three months of daily protests against police brutality and racial profiling.

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