Unrest in Ferguson continues over Michael Brown shooting

Tensions grew overnight after the Governor of Missouri declared a state of emergency in the St Louis suburb following violence on Friday

One man is in a critical condition in hospital after a shooting during protests in Ferguson over the death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, who was shot by police officer Darren Wilson.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson said one person was shot and critically wounded after dozens defied a midnight curfew imposed on the town, NBC reports. He said seven people have also been arrested.

Tensions grew overnight after the Governor of Missouri declared a state of emergency in the St Louis suburb following violence on Friday. Governor Jay Nixon ordered a curfew to run from midnight to 5am beginning Saturday, telling reporters: “This is a test. The eyes of the world are watching.”

Many left the area peacefully before midnight, but around 150 protesters refused to leave before the deadline and police fired smoke bombs and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Johnson defended their use of tear gas as a “proper response”, which he said was done after a police car was shot at.