FERGUSON – Ferguson Missouri withstood another night of violence. Police enforced a curfew against protesters angry at the shooting death of a black teenager by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, clearing the streets of demonstrators early on Sunday during a tense standoff. One person was shot and critically wounded and seven arrested early on Sunday as police in Ferguson, Missouri, clashed with protesters when a curfew was imposed following days of unrest over a black teenager being shot dead by a white police officer.
“You must disperse immediately,” a law enforcement official warned over a loudspeaker as police slowly moved down the street where dozens of demonstrators remained after the curfew took effect at midnight local time.
Officers were equipped with gas masks and full-length shields, standing among armored vehicles.
A short time later, officers began firing cannisters toward the crowd, which a state Highway Patrol spokesman said dispersed smoke, not tear gas.
Scores of demonstrators had remained in the streets after the curfew took effect at midnight (0500 GMT). Law enforcement officials used loudspeakers to warn protesters to disperse immediately. Officers, equipped with gas masks and full-length shields, stood among and on top of armored vehicles.
Governor Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency and announced the five-hour curfew after a week of racially charged protests and looting over the shooting of 18-year-old unarmed black teenager.
