2 Ferguson Cops Shot During Protest

More volatility last night in Ferguson, where two officers were shot in front of the city's Police Department shortly after midnight as protesters gathered following the resignation of the city's embattled police chief. How St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar put it to reporters: His "assumption," based on where the officers were and the trajectory of the bullets, is that "these shots were directed exactly at my officers." The shots were fired as what had earlier been a crowd of about 70 people began to dwindle, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Some protesters fell to the ground and others ran. A huge police presence, including officers in riot gear, later surrounded the department.

A 32-year-old officer from nearby Webster Groves was shot in the face, and a 41-year-old officer from St. Louis County was shot in the shoulder, said Belmar. Both were taken to a hospital, where Belmar said they were conscious. He said he did not have further details about their conditions but described their wounds as "very serious" though not life-threatening. "I don't know who did the shooting, to be honest with you," Belmar said, adding that he could not provide a description of the suspect or gun. A news conference will be held "mid-morning," per the Post-Dispatch. (More Ferguson, Missouri stories.)