Police name officer who shot unarmed black teenager

Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson said Mr Wilson had served six years with the force and had a good record. Authorities have said he was placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting.

Police had earlier refused to name the officer involved, fearing for his safety and that of his family.

The shooting sparked four nights of violent protests across the state. Thousands of protesters demanding justice for Brown’s killing have clashed with riot gear-clad local police.

On Thursday night, thousands of people held vigils across America in honour of Brown. In the mostly black St Louis suburb of Ferguson, state police replaced local forces and walked without body armour, amongst thousands of protesters, in a noticeably calmer atmosphere.

Highway Patrol Captain Ronald Johnson, a local officer, was placed in charge of security operations by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. “I understand the anger and fear that the citizens of Ferguson are feeling, and our officers will respect both of those”, he said on Thursday afternoon.

There is little clarity on what occurred during Saturday’s incident. Police said that 18-year-old Brown struggled with the officer who shot and killed him. The officer involved received treatment for facial injuries gained in the incident, they said.

Eyewitnesses say that Brown had his arms raised when he was shot multiple times by a police officer.

The protests have cast a spotlight on racial tensions in greater St. Louis, where civil rights groups have complained in the past that police racially profiled blacks, arrested a disproportionate number of them and had racist hiring practices.