Nixon sends National Guard to Ferguson
FERGUSON (AP) - Gov. Jay Nixon has ordered the National Guard to Ferguson to help restore order to the St. Louis suburb after a week of sometimes-violent protests over the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown.
Nixon made the announcement in a statement issued early Monday after another night of clashes between police and protesters in Ferguson.
"Following coordinated attacks last night both on civilians and law enforcement officers, I signed an executive order directing the Missouri National Guard to help restore peace and order in Ferguson," Nixon said in his statement.
Officers used tear gas to clear demonstrators off the streets late Sunday.
Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol is command in Ferguson. He says authorities were responding to reports of gunfire, looting, vandalism and protesters who hurled Molotov cocktails.