Man left 
critical in 
shoot-out 
at protest

The shoot-out came during a protest marking the death of Michael Brown, the 18-year-old whose killing by a white Ferguson police officer touched off unrest across the US over police treatment of minorities and the “Black Lives Matter” movement.

The anniversary of Mr Brown’s killing has sparked days of renewed protests, though until Sunday they had been peaceful.

For the first time in three consecutive nights of demonstrations, some officers were dressed in riot gear, including bullet-proof vests and helmets.

The shooting happened shortly after an exchange of gunfire between two groups at around 11.15pm on Sunday while protesters were gathered in a business zone. The shots sent protesters and reporters running for cover.

The man approached officers in an unmarked police van and opened fire. The officers returned fire from inside the vehicle and then pursued the man on foot when he ran.

The man again fired on the officers and all four officers fired back. He was struck and fell.

The man was taken to a hospital, where he was said to be in “critical, unstable” condition. Authorities did not immediately release the identities of anyone involved, but Tyrone Harris told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the injured man was his son, 18-year-old Tyrone Harris Jr.

None of the officers was seriously injured. All four have been put on standard administrative leave.