FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — Streets in the Missouri community of Ferguson are relative quiet this morning. There’s some debris left over from the unrest last night, when crowds looted and burned stores, vandalized vehicles and taunted officers who tried to block access to parts of the city.
More than 30 people were arrested on charges including assault, burglary and theft. Police say two officers suffered minor injuries.
The violence followed a candlelight vigil for an unarmed black man who was fatally shot by police in the St. Louis suburb. Police say Michael Brown was shot multiple times during a scuffle with an officer. The investigation into what led to the shooting continues.
Among the businesses that were looted last night were a check-cashing store, a boutique and a small grocery store. Some in the crowd climbed atop police cars as officers with riot shields and batons stood nearby, trying to restrict access to the most seriously affected areas.
Mayor James Knowles says a “small group of people” created “a huge mess.” He said, “We’re only hurting ourselves, only hurting our community, hurting our neighbors.”
Saturday’s shooting has drawn criticism from some civil rights leaders. A board member of the NAACP says, “Yet again, a young African-American man has been killed by law enforcement.”
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133-c-09-(Brett Blume, correspondent)-“happened last night”-Correspondent Brett Blume of KMOX reports police are out in force today in Ferguson, Missouri. Updated: 08/11/2014-07:56:39 AM ET (11 Aug 2014)
< 134-c-14-(Brett Blume, Correspondent)-“going to do”-Correspondent Brett Blume of KMOX reports Ferguson, Missouri, is quiet this morning. ((watch for possible dating)) Updated: 08/11/2014-07:56:39 AM ET (11 Aug 2014) < 130-c-17-(Michael Calhoun, correspondent)-“of the people”-Correspondent Michael Calhoun of KMOX reports last night’s vandalism and looting were fueled by anger. (11 Aug 2014) < APPHOTO MOSH101: Passers-by and media take a closer look Monday, Aug. 11, 2014 at the burned-out shell of the QuikTrip gas station torched during the violence that erupted in Ferguson, Mo. overnight following a candle-light memorial for 18-year-old shooting victim Michael Brown. Police said Brown, who was unarmed, was fatally shot Saturday in a scuffle with an officer. (AP Photo/Sid Hastings) (11 Aug 2014) < Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.