Michael Brown shooting riots: Missouri governor sends National Guard to Ferguson

The Missouri governor’s move came after a week of demonstrations against the fatal police shooting of a black, unarmed Missouri teenager.

15:06 18 August 2014

Governor Jay Nixon of Missouri has ordered the National Guard to the community of Ferguson following a week of demonstrations against the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black Missouri teenager identified as 18-year-old Michael Brown. In a statement, the governor explained that the move would help restore peace and order to the St. Louis suburb.

"These violent acts are a disservice to the family of Michael Brown and his memory and to the people of this community who yearn for justice to be served and to feel safe in their own homes," Nixon said.

A preliminary private autopsy found that Brown was unarmed at the time of shooting and was shot twice in the head and four times in the right arm by a police officer. The bullets were fired into his front. Witnesses say that he had his hands in the air when the officer fired multiple rounds.

The officer who shot the teenager has been identified as Darren Wilson. He is currently on paid administrative leave and his department refused to provide information about his whereabouts.