President Barack Obama says there is no excuse for the use of excessive force by police in the tense aftermath of the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, and no excuse for violence against the police.
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In brief remarks near his vacation spot in Martha's Vineyard, Obama said he wants an open and transparent investigation of the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, so that justice is done.
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He also said police shouldn't be arresting and bullying journalists who are doing their jobs. Two reporters were taken into custody and briefly jailed Wednesday evening in the St. Louis suburb.
Meanwhile, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says "operational shifts" are ahead for law enforcement in the St. Louis suburb where a police officer fatally shot an unarmed black teenager.
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Nixon spoke Thursday at a meeting of clergy and community members to discuss law enforcement's response to demonstrations over the killing in the town of Ferguson.
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The governor told the audience that "you all will see a different tone."
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He did not elaborate on the changes ahead, but they are likely to be explained at a news conference planned for later in the day.
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The governor said he was late to the meeting because he had been on the phone with President Obama, who sent "wishes of peace and justice."
And - police in the St. Louis suburb aren't yet saying how many people were arrested during a night of violent protests over the shooting death of an unarmed black teen. But the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says about 10 people were arrested -- including a St. Louis alderman who had been chronicling the protests on social media.
Police used tear gas and smoke bombs to repel crowds who threw Molotov cocktails.
The violence came hours after the police chief in Ferguson said race relations were the top priority in the town, where a white police officer fatally shot the black teen.
Since Saturday's shooting, officers from multiple departments in riot gear and in military equipment have clashed nightly with the protesters. (AP)
