President Barack Obama says there is no excuse for the use of excessive force by police in the tense aftermath of the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Mo., and no excuse for violence against the police.
In brief remarks near his vacation spot in Martha's Vineyard, Obama said he wants an open and transparent investigation of the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, so that justice is done.
He also said police shouldn't be arresting and bullying journalists who are doing their jobs. Two reporters were taken into custody and briefly jailed Wednesday evening in the St. Louis suburb.
St. Louis County police are defending tactics used to repel protesters after another night of unrest in Ferguson over the fatal shooting.
A police spokesman says officers used tear gas to disperse a crowd after some protesters threw Molotov cocktails and rocks at officers. More than 10 people were arrested.
Civil rights activist Al Sharpton is calling on the Justice Department to monitor the way police are handling the crisis in Ferguson, calling the situation "dangerous for everyone."
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon says "operational shifts" are ahead for law enforcement in the St. Louis suburb. Nixon spoke Thursday at a meeting of clergy and community members to discuss law enforcement's response to demonstrations over the killing.
The governor told the audience that "you all will see a different tone."
He did not elaborate on the changes ahead, but they are likely to be explained at a news conference planned for later in the day.
The governor said he was late to the meeting because he had been on the phone with Obama, who sent "wishes of peace and justice."