One person was shot and seven others were arrested as police and Ferguson residents clashed after a midnight curfew that was imposed by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on Saturday.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson confirmed that the person shot is in critical condition, but did not identify the individual. In an early morning press conference, Johnson also said a police car was fired upon.
Residents and protestors, who stayed after the midnight curfew in pouring rain, described hearing the boom of tear gas canisters and then seeing the now familiar cloud of smoke surround them. Others reported hearing gunshots in the distance.
Police in riot gear stood guard near stores looted the night before:
Police standing in front of a looted building pic.twitter.com/cybpch0HcU
— Allison Blood (@AllisonBlood) August 17, 2014
Some on the scene reported seeing a few residents armed with guns:
Additionally, @AntonioFrench, who was on the street has said to multiple outlets that there were armed men in the street ready for a fight.
— Will McAvoy (@WillMcAvoyACN) August 17, 201
Alderman Antonio French, who has documented the Ferguson unrest since unarmed teenager Michael Brown was shot and killed by officer Darren Wilson, took to Twitter to describe the scene.
Very thin numbers as the curfew nears. Community leaders have been talking to the young guys. Many have already left #Ferguson.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 17, 2014
Some brothers are harder to convince. #ferguson https://t.co/KlotmNQUjl — Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 17, 2014
The lot of Red’s Barbeque has become the staging ground for the group looking for a confrontation with poli… https://t.co/PNcFoMsAs0 — Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 17, 2014
Demonstrators have made a barricade of cars across West Florissant. pic.twitter.com/6YQa11adtW
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 17, 2014
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 17, 2014
Police line moving forward. https://t.co/YZeSfat7tc — Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 17, 2014
The tear gas pushed back the line. Some still remain. — Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 17, 2014
Gun shots.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 17, 2014
Police ordering remaining demonstrators to leave. #Ferguson https://t.co/YIVc79GU7e
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 17, 2014
A small group of protesters outside the #Ferguson police department. The curfew was not enforced here. pic.twitter.com/bx5yBvp8vo — Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) August 17, 2014
Johnson defended the use of tactical units, saying officers feared for their safety whiles responding to the shooting that left one in critical condition. Police say they aren’t sure who shot the man.
“Tonight’s response was a proper one,” he said, adding that he was “disappointed” that violence again broke out on the city’s streets.
“It was effective,” he said. “We sustained the health of those businesses and we also sustained the safety of the protesters who were out around tonight.”
We’ll keep you updated with the latest.
SOURCE: MSNBC, NBC, Twitter/AntonioFrench | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
