Dozens defy Missouri curfew in riot-hit Ferguson

About 150 protesters refused to disperse before a midnight (05:00 GMT) deadline in the St Louis suburb.The governor of Missouri has imposed the curfew until 05:00 (10:00 GMT).The move comes after a week of violent clashes between heavily armed local police and protesters.Michael Brown, 18, was shot dead on a street in Ferguson on 9 August.

Hundreds of protesters gathered on the main road in Ferguson in poor weather conditions hours before the curfew was due to go into force on Saturday evening.

Many left peacefully but others shouted that they would not abide by the curfew.

Police warned the remaining demonstrators that they would be arrested unless they left the area.

They then fired smoke bombs and tear gas, after which the protesters appeared to leave.

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Governor of Missouri Jay Nixon was heckled as he outlined the need for a curfew in Ferguson

"The curfew is going to make things worse," protester Phonso Scott, 24, told Reuters news agency.

"I think the cops are going to get violent tonight, but they can't lock us all up."

'Find and maintain peace'

Governor Jay Nixon said that although many protesters were making themselves heard peacefully, he would not allow a handful of looters to endanger the community.

"We must first have and maintain peace. This is a test. The eyes of the world are watching," Mr Nixon said. "We cannot allow the ill will of the few to undermine the good will of the many."

Police warned the protesters to disperse before firing smoke bombs

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon said the FBI was bolstering its investigation into the fatal shooting

Local business owners have taken to carrying weapons in a bid to protect their stores from looters

He also said the US Department of Justice was bolstering its investigation of the shooting.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson, who is in charge of security in Ferguson, said 40 FBI agents were going door-to-door to gather information about the incident.Mr Johnson gave a joint news conference with Governor Nixon on Saturday afternoon at a church in Ferguson, where they were repeatedly interrupted by angry locals.The latest tensions flared on Friday night after Ferguson police chief Thomas Jackson revealed the name of the officer who shot Mr Brown.

Police also released CCTV footage that it said showed Mr Brown stealing a pack of cigars from a convenience store and intimidating its owner shortly before he was killed.