Missouri Police, National Guard Prepare for Ferguson Protests

ABC 7 Chicago – by Chuck Goudie

FERGUSON, Mo. (WLS) — Authorities are preparing for another night of protests in Ferguson, Mo., hoping that by setting up a designated protest area, there may be less violence.

“We will not allow vandals, criminal elements to impact the safety and security of this community,” said Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol. “We will not allow those elements to disrupt or impact the soul of this community. We will ensure the rights and freedoms that this nation provides us will allow for protests.”   

The Missouri Highway Patrol will still be in charge of law enforcement in Ferguson. But they will be backed up Monday night by the Missouri National Guard after being called up by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, who said those responsible for violence are a criminal element terrorizing the community.

A military response follows another raucous night Sunday with looting and bottles thrown at authorities. Police again fired tear gas after claiming they and civilians were shot at.

“Let me call once again for us to seek some understanding rather than simply holler at each other,” President Obama said during a press conference. “Let’s seek to heal rather than to wound each other.”

Police in Missouri say that Officer Darren Wilson shot 18-year-old Michael Brown after he was physically assaulted by the teen and his friend.

The cause of death Monday was ruled as gunshot wounds to the head and chest. New autopsy information from the county medical examiner’s office shows the shots were not at close range but exactly how far away Officer Wilson was when he fired the fatal shot has not been revealed. 

The Justice Department and the teenager’s family have scheduled their own autopsies.

“There is no gunshot residue on skin surface. The muzzle could have been one or two feet away at least. Could be further away,” said Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist.

Attorney General Eric Holder said there are an additional 40 FBI agents canvassing the area near where the shooting took place more than a week ago. 

Protests occurred Monday afternoon in downtown St. Louis, where approximately 75 protesters tried to approach the office of the governor, resulting in eight arrests. Protesters claim that the Ferguson police chief should be removed and that the officer involved in the shooting should immediately be arrested.

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