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Ferguson police shot during protest Ferguson police shot during protest
(about 2 hours later)
Two US police officers have been shot in Ferguson, a Missouri town hit by riots over the killing of an unarmed black teenager last year.Two US police officers have been shot in Ferguson, a Missouri town hit by riots over the killing of an unarmed black teenager last year.
One officer was shot in the face and one in the shoulder, St Louis County police chief Jon Belmar said.One officer was shot in the face and one in the shoulder, St Louis County police chief Jon Belmar said.
Both suffered "very serious gunshot injuries" but were conscious, he said.Both suffered "very serious gunshot injuries" but were conscious, he said.
They were shot during a demonstration after the resignation of Ferguson's police chief, which followed a report alleging racial bias in his department.They were shot during a demonstration after the resignation of Ferguson's police chief, which followed a report alleging racial bias in his department.
Protesters had gathered outside Ferguson police headquarters late on Wednesday, in what was initially a relatively low-key demonstration. Protesters had gathered outside Ferguson police headquarters late on Wednesday, in what was a relatively low-key demonstration.
But shortly after midnight at least three shots were fired as the crowd of protesters was starting to break up, Mr Belmar said.But shortly after midnight at least three shots were fired as the crowd of protesters was starting to break up, Mr Belmar said.
He said he was assuming that "these shots were directed exactly at my police officers", rather than the officers being hit by stray bullets.
Several witnesses said the shots had come from a hill on the other side of the street from the crowd of protesters.Several witnesses said the shots had come from a hill on the other side of the street from the crowd of protesters.
In a press conference on Thursday, Mr Belmar said the shots were fired from about 125yds (114m) away, but he did not specify from which direction.
"We were very close to having what happened in New York last year," Mr Belmar said, referring to two police officers shot and killed while on duty, adding it was a "miracle" there were no injuries or deaths given the amount of gunfire he heard in protests last summer and autumn.
Mr Belmar also said he was "surprised" at the agitation among some people in the crowd on Wednesday night but said there was an "unfortunate association" between protesters and those who fired the gun.
Detectives were still investigating who was responsible for the shooting but no-one had been taken in custody.
The St Louis County police chief said after hearing the gunshots many officers had drawn their weapons but no-one had fired.
One protester, Keith Rose, said he saw an officer "covered in blood", and that other officers were carrying and dragging him, leaving a trail of blood on the ground.One protester, Keith Rose, said he saw an officer "covered in blood", and that other officers were carrying and dragging him, leaving a trail of blood on the ground.
Demonstrators were calling for further action to be taken over the federal report, and for more resignations in the police department, Mr Rose said.Demonstrators were calling for further action to be taken over the federal report, and for more resignations in the police department, Mr Rose said.
Police chief Thomas Jackson was the sixth Ferguson official to be fired or step down. He had initially resisted calls from protesters and some state leaders to resign.Police chief Thomas Jackson was the sixth Ferguson official to be fired or step down. He had initially resisted calls from protesters and some state leaders to resign.
Mr Jackson was widely criticised after the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in August and the weeks of demonstrations that followed.Mr Jackson was widely criticised after the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in August and the weeks of demonstrations that followed.
Ferguson - key momentsFerguson - key moments
How Ferguson unrest spreadHow Ferguson unrest spread
Report on Ferguson police report - key findingsReport on Ferguson police report - key findings
Brown's killing was one of several recent cases around the US in which the deaths of black men at the hands of the police have triggered protests.Brown's killing was one of several recent cases around the US in which the deaths of black men at the hands of the police have triggered protests.
In November, a St Louis County grand jury found that white police officer Darren Wilson did not break any laws when he shot Brown.In November, a St Louis County grand jury found that white police officer Darren Wilson did not break any laws when he shot Brown.
However, Brown's shooting and the riots that followed spurred a federal investigation. It found overwhelming racial bias in the town's policing practices, though Darren Wilson was cleared of civil rights violations.However, Brown's shooting and the riots that followed spurred a federal investigation. It found overwhelming racial bias in the town's policing practices, though Darren Wilson was cleared of civil rights violations.
The report noted public officials regularly made tickets and other minor violations "go away" for white friends, while some black residents spent nights in jail for non-payment of fines.The report noted public officials regularly made tickets and other minor violations "go away" for white friends, while some black residents spent nights in jail for non-payment of fines.
It also found that black residents were disproportionately subjected to baseless traffic stops and citations for minor infractions such as walking down the middle of the street.
Ferguson's police force had three black officers, despite the fact that the town of 21,000 people was predominantly black.
In a speech to mark the 50th anniversary of the Selma civil rights march in Alabama last weekend, US President Barack Obama called the narrative of the report on Ferguson "woefully familiar".
Attorney General Eric Holder has said the federal government will "use all power that we have to change the situation".
A local Democratic party leader, Patricia Bynes, said "a lot of anger" had built up in Ferguson because more action had not been taken sooner.A local Democratic party leader, Patricia Bynes, said "a lot of anger" had built up in Ferguson because more action had not been taken sooner.
The names of the two officers wounded on Thursday were not given, but Mr Belmar said one was a 32-year-old from a police department in another St Louis suburb, Webster Groves, and the other a 41-year-old from St Louis County police department. The names of the two officers wounded on Thursday have not been released.
The one shot in the face, under his right eye, is a 32-year-old from a police department in another St Louis suburb, Webster Groves, and the other a 41-year-old from St Louis County police department.
Are you in Ferguson? What's your reaction to the news? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are available to speak further with a BBC journalist please include a contact telephone number.Are you in Ferguson? What's your reaction to the news? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you are available to speak further with a BBC journalist please include a contact telephone number.
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