Ferguson protest_2
Police in riot gear detain a demonstrator protesting against the shooting of Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Missouri Aug. 19, 2014. Reuters/Joshua Lott

Dozens were arrested Tuesday night in Ferguson, Missouri, as an evening of peaceful protests was transformed into incidents involving protesters throwing bottles and urine at police officers. Violent clashes between protesters and police have continued almost every night in the town after the shooting death of a black teenager by a police officer on Aug. 9.

According to a report, Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson said that protesters threw urine at police officers, and 47 people were arrested overnight. He also reportedly said that a person, who was arrested for a third time, was from Austin, Texas. Johnson, who has accused "criminals" from outside the area of inciting the violence, also added that the groups were smaller on Tuesday night and there was no use of Molotov cocktails or any shootings. Protests on Tuesday, which had begun peacefully, were marred after a glass bottle was thrown at police later in the night.

A criminal inquiry by a grand jury into the shooting of Michael Brown is expected to begin Wednesday, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley and some black leaders said that St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch should be removed from the case, fearing he might be biased toward the department while investigating the case because many in his family have served with the St. Louis Police Department.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on Tuesday said that he would not remove McCulloch, who is overlooking the investigation of Brown’s shooting. Nixon reportedly said in a statement that "there is a well-established process by which prosecutors can recuse themselves,” which he did not want to sidestep as it could "potentially jeopardize the prosecution."

“We have a responsibility… to come together, and do everything we can to achieve justice for [Brown's] family,” Nixon reportedly said.

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. is scheduled to visit Ferguson on Wednesday to meet with FBI agents conducting an investigation into the shooting.

In the nearly two weeks of protests since the shooting, demonstrations have turned violent after dark, leading to about 78 arrests, and police have confiscated at least two guns and a Molotov Cocktail from protesters.

Here are some Twitter updates from an International Business Times journalist at the site.

RELATED STORIES