Ferguson protests
A local resident stands with his arm up over a makeshift memorial at the site where unarmed teen Michael Brown was shot dead in Ferguson, Missouri on Aug. 27, 2014. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Clashes between protesters and police broke out late Thursday in Ferguson, Missouri, and several arrests were made, according to reports. The arrests came just hours after Ferguson police chief Thomas Jackson apologized for the shooting of Michael Brown in an interview, but refused to step down from his post.

Jackson had stepped out to answer questions from the protesters and was walking with them, when a scuffle broke out. According to the protesters, who lashed out at officials on social media, the police attacked peaceful protesters. Protesters also tweeted that a few of their number were later released from custody.

“If you are not resigning tonight, go home," a man on a bullhorn, told Jackson, according to CNN.

Jackson said in his interview with CNN: "I've talked to a lot of people who have initially called for that and then changed their mind after having meetings and discussions about moving forward," adding: "Realistically, I'm going to stay here and see this through."

Meanwhile, a PR specialist who was hired to rebuild the image of the Ferguson authorities was fired Thursday, after reports emerged that he was a convicted killer. Devin James reportedly killed a man who was trying to rob him ten years ago, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and five years probation for reckless homicide. James was responsible for guiding Ferguson authorities' media strategy during the protests that followed the death of Michael Brown, KMOV, a local outlet reported.

“Charlie Dooley terminated my contract,” James, who is the president of the public relations firm hired to represent city officials, said according to KMOV.

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