1 shot, 7 arrested after Ferguson curfew

Police attempt to disperse a group of nearly 200 protestors violating the midnight curfew.EPA

The first night of a state-ordered curfew in Ferguson, Mo. ended Sunday morning with seven arrests and one person critically wounded during protests.

Cops fired smoke bombs and tear gas in yet another night of violence erupted in the St. Louis suburb, where an unarmed black teen was killed by police last week.

Protestors scramble as police fire tear gas.Getty Images

As the deadline arrived at midnight, defiant protesters chanted “No justice! No curfew!” and refused to disperse.

“You are in violation of a state-imposed curfew. You must disperse immediately. Failure to comply, may result in arrest,” an officer said over the loudspeaker.

As cops donned gas masks, the crowd chanted: “We have the right to assemble peacefully.”

Moments later, tear gas and smoke bomb canisters were fired.

“Obviously, we’re trying to give them every opportunity to comply with the curfew,” said Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Johh Hotz.

Much of Sunday morning’s activity centered around Red’s Barbeque, as police in an armored vehicle responded to reports of a break-in at the restaurant, officials said.

Protesters followed behind, and one man pointed a gun at cops en route, officials said. At least one person shot at a police car, but no officers were hit, authorities added.

A protestor is carried after being overcome by tear gas.Getty Images

“I was disappointed in the actions of tonight,” said Missouri Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, head of operations in Ferguson.

People wait for reaction from police after they refused to honor the midnight curfew.Getty Images

The violence came hours after the emergence of photos of the white police officer whose fatal shooting of Michael Brown, 18, has touched off a week of local rioting and a national debate.

Protestors raise up signs.Getty Images

The photo of Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, a six-year veteran, had been posted on his father’s Facebook page six months before the cop’s shooting of Brown during a curbside confrontation in the St. Louis suburb.

“Very proud of my son, Darren Wilson, on his receiving a commendation from his Police Department,” the cop’s father, John, had posted on Facebook, Yahoo News reported.

Wilson had earned the unspecified commendation for what a Ferguson town Web site called “extraordinary effort in the line of duty.”

But by last week, pride had turned to worry. “Our family is in need for prayers to be sent up for a family member,” the father posted before the page was deactivated on Saturday. “Put a covering of protection over our family member please.”

The state of emergency and midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew were announced by Gov. Jay Nixon at a contentious Saturday press conference that was interrupted by angry shouts from audience members.

“Why hasn’t Darren Wilson been indicted!” one shouted. “Charge him with murder!”

Getty Images
Protesters have also been enraged over video and details police have released about Brown’s involvement in a robbery unrelated to his confrontation with Wilson.

Protesters’ anger had been stoked to a frenzy on Friday, when Ferguson police released not only Wilson’s name but also details of the unrelated robbery, including video showing a menacing Brown shoving his way past someone who tries to stop him from leaving the store — allegedly with a $50 box of cigars.

The feds warned Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson against accusing Brown of the robbery, CNN reported. In New York, the Rev. Al Sharpton said he would march with Brown’s family in Ferguson on Sunday.

Additional reporting by Georgett Roberts and David K. Li