The protests resumed a day earlier after a fire destroyed a memorial dedicated to 18-year-old Michael Brown was who was killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. Police claimed candle flames were to blame for the destruction of the memorial, but local residents claimed it was intentionally set ablaze.
The incident reignited tensions in Ferguson, a predominantly African-American suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, which was rocked by violence for weeks in August after the teenager's death.
Michael Brown was shot at least six times, including twice in the head, by Wilson, the white officer. Although police have a different account about the deadly shooting incident, several eyewitnesses say the unarmed teen held up his arms in surrender before he was repeatedly shot.
Brown's family and activists want prosecutors to charge Wilson with murder, although he has continued his job on paid administrative leave. Wilson has spoken with investigators and testified before a grand jury, which is still considering his case.
The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI are continuing to investigate the incident for civil rights violations. Police brutality and the unnecessary use of heavy-handed tactics have become a major concern across the U.S. in recent months.
