FERGUSON: Gunfire was heard and police used tear gas and smoke canisters to disperse protesters as chaos erupted last night in Ferguson, Missouri, which has been racked by protests since an unarmed black teenager was shot by police last week.
Hundreds of protesters fled to safety after authorities fired canisters of smoke to disperse them hours ahead of a planned midnight curfew. The Missouri Highway Patrol said some tear gas was used along with the smoke bombs.
Gunfire was heard, by a Reuters reporter and photographer, but it was unclear where it was coming from.
The crowd of about 400 appeared to be marching peacefully but a spokesman for the Missouri Highway Patrol said “aggressors” had advanced on a law enforcement command post.
“The smoke bombs were completely unprovoked,” said Anthony Ellis, 45. “It (the protest) was led by kids on bikes. Next you know, they’re saying, ‘Go home, Go home!’
However, the Missouri Highway Patrol said “aggressors” were trying to infiltrate a law enforcement command post and that armored vehicles were deployed to ensure public safety.
“We ordered them back again and again before utilizing the smoke to disperse these individuals,” said Missouri Highway Patrol Corporal Justin Wheetley.
The actions took place hours before a midnight curfew imposed for the second night in the tense since Michael Brown, 18, was shot to death on August 9.(Reuters)
