Missouri Governor Orders National Guard to Ferguson | WPN World People News

The governor of Missouri has ordered the National Guard to the town of Ferguson after a week of sometimes violent protests sparked by the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer.

Jay Nixon authorized the deployment early Monday after another round of clashes between police and protesters in Ferguson.

Last Sunday, police in body armor, gas masks and marching with armored vehicles fired tear gas in efforts to disperse a mob of mostly young people who tried marching toward them.

A police official, Captain Ron Johnson, said protesters threw Molotov cocktails and engaged in shootings, looting and vandalism. He said at least two protesters were wounded in the shootings.

He said shots were also fired at police, but that no officers were wounded.

Johnson described the violence as "premeditated criminal acts" designed to damage property, hurt people and provoke a response. He said police had to respond to protect lives and property.

The violence took place several hours before a curfew began for the second straight night. The curfew took effect at midnight local time and runs until 5 a.m.

Violent protests and looting in Ferguson have been almost nightly occurrences since the August 9 death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Late Sunday, The New York Times reported that preliminary results from a private autopsy showed Michael Brown was shot at least six times, including twice in the head.

The Times said the pathologist who performed the autopsy found one of the bullets entered the top of Brown's skull, suggesting his head was bent forward when it struck him and caused a fatal injury. The pathologist said that could be because Brown was giving up, or because he was charging at the officer.

Brown's family had requested the private autopsy.

On Sunday, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said a federal medical examiner would perform another autopsy on Brown in accordance with the wishes of the Brown family and because of the extremely sensitive nature of the case. Local authorities have also performed an autopsy with the results yet to be released.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said Sunday authorities would impose a curfew indefinitely in Ferguson where there have been almost nightly confrontations between police and protesters. Nixon has declared a state of emergency in Ferguson.

President Barack Obama has been getting regular briefings on the Ferguson protests.

On Friday, Ferguson police released reports they said showed Michael Brown was involved in a robbery and confrontation with a convenience store clerk shortly before he was shot and killed.

Source: Voice of America