St. Louis, August 14 (RHC)-- The government of St. Louis County has extended the state of emergency in Ferguson over continuous unrest in the city following the anniversary of the fatal shooting of unarmed African American Michael Brown on August 9, 2014.

Authorities first declared a state of emergency on Monday for the St. Louis suburb and the surrounding areas after police officers shot and critically wounded a man in an exchange of gunfire Sunday night, an incident that marred peaceful protests.

On Wednesday, St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger extended the state of emergency for a second time in order to help keep the peace. On Thursday, Stenger again extended the state of emergency for at least one more day in both Ferguson and the surrounding areas.

U.S. cities have been the scene of protests during the past several months over fatal shootings of African Americans by police and their brutal treatment of Americans, particularly people of color.

A new report has indicated that police in the US have shot dead more than 600 people across the country so far this year. The Washington Post data shows 601 people were shot dead by police officers in the first eight months of 2015.

During the past 30 days, at least 85 people were killed by police, the report said, adding 24 of the victims were black and unarmed.