Tear gas is fired into a crowd of protestors in Ferguson, Missouri Sunday night.
Tensions in Ferguson, Missouri continue to escalate one week after the police involved shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown.
Monday morning, Missouri’s governor said he intends to send the National Guard into Ferguson to help calm things down after authorities dispersed a crowd of protestors Sunday night. Last night, hundreds of protestors sought safety after police wearing gas masks and body armor fired tear gas and smoke canisters to scatter them ahead of the midnight curfew.
Governor Jay Nixon signed an executive order deploying the National Guard saying demonstrators had thrown Molotov cocktails and shot at police. Two civilian casualties have been reported. No police officers have been hurt. MSNBC host Chris Hayes reported being threatened by police.
Riot cop to me just a few minutes ago: “Get back! Or next time you’re gonna be the one maced.”
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 18, 2014
Many took to social media to recount the events through some powerful pictures.
Protesters return tear gas canisters at police in #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/cHNU2LD3Ev — Alex Wroblewski (@alexwroblewski) August 18, 2014
Missouri Highway Patrol Officers allege some aggressive protestors were trying to break into a law enforcement command post and that armored vehicles were deployed to ensure public safety.
In a statement on his website, Nixon said, “Tonight, a day of hope, prayers, and peaceful protests was marred by the violent criminal acts of an organized and growing number of individuals, many from outside the community and state, whose actions are putting the residents and businesses of Ferguson at risk.”
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has also stepped in to help ease tensions. The human rights group has never deployed inside the United States until now. The organization has a 13 person delegation that has been in the suburb since last Thursday.
Preliminary autopsy report shows Michael Brown was shot at least six times.
As people fled seeking safety late Sunday night, the New York Times released findings from a preliminary autopsy report showing the 18 year old was shot at least six times. The paper also reported that former New York City chief medical examiner Michael M. Baden said Brown was shot twice in the head, and the bullets that hit him appeared to not have been fired from close range due to the lack of gunpowder on his body. Baden performed the autopsy at the family’s request. Two more autopsies are expected to be performed, one by local officials, and one under the direction of Attorney General Eric Holder Jr.
Brown was shot August 9. Witnesses have said Brown had raised his hands to surrender when Officer Darren Wilson shot him. Police say Brown was asked by Wilson to move off the road and onto the sidewalk and that Brown reached into the patrol car and struggled with Wilson when he was shot.
The Justice Department is also conducting an inquiry into possible civil rights violations related to the shooting. The FBI is also investigating.