A year ago, an unarmed teenager was shot and killed by a Ferguson, Mo., police officer. For days following the shooting, Ferguson became embroiled in protests, complete with militarized police patrolling the streets. On Sunday night, the Ferguson of now looked a lot like the Ferguson of old as what had been considered a peaceful protest to mark the one-year-anniversary of Michael Brown's death erupted in gunfire after police shot a man who authorities said had begun shooting at officers.
According to CNN, the 20-year-old man, who has not been identified, was taken to the hospital. His condition was unknown, but the news station reported that he was undergoing surgery early Monday morning.
St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar told the news station that the 20-year-old man unleashed a "remarkable amount of gunfire" aimed at officers. Belmar also said the man was in possession of a stolen handgun.
"We cannot continue, we cannot talk about the good things that we have been talking about, if we are prevented from moving forward with this kind of violence," Belmar told CNN.
Belmar said several people shot "several rounds" Sunday evening. During a CNN broadcast with Acting Ferguson Police Chief Andre Anderson, noise that sounded like gunfire could be heard in the background. Anderson turned over his shoulder as crowds began to scatter. Someone could be heard off camera saying, "Shots fired."
According to several news reports, the day had been peaceful, with a large crowd observing "four-and-a-half minutes of silence, to signify the four-and-a-half hours Brown's body lay on the street after he was shot last year," CNN reported.
Authorities said that during the evening portion of the protest, a man began shooting. Four plainclothes officers in an SUV gave chase, and according to Belmar, the man began shooting at those officers who were in pursuit.
The officers fired back, hitting the man several times, according to reports.
As word of the shooting spread, the once-peaceful event turned tense as protesters and police in riot gear faced off on West Florissant Avenue, the street where Michael Brown was shot and killed.
The four plainclothes officers involved in the shooting have 6-12 years of experience, Belmar said. All four have been placed on administrative leave.
By then, police presence had become heavy, and rumors about the shooting flew.
Police and protesters faced off in a tense standoff on West Florissant Avenue. Protesters reportedly threw rocks and bottles at police, who, in turn, used smoke bombs to clear the crowds that continued to gather well into Monday morning.
CNN reported that more protests have been planned for Monday.
Read more at CNN.