Ferguson Fallout: Riots, school cancellations and unrest in wake of police shooting

FERGUSON, Mo., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The officer-involved shooting of an unarmed 18-year-old black man has led to riots and school cancellations in Missouri.

Michael Brown was killed by police in Ferguson, Mo., on Saturday after being shot multiple times, reportedly while his hands were in the air.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing and St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said the shooting occurred after a scuffle.

The shooting has prompted outrage and violence. Area residents rioted on Sunday for much of the day and the protest continued on Sunday night with local businesses being damaged and looted.

The situation is still volatile, so officials in the town of Jennings elected to cancel the first day of school on Monday.

"Unfortunately unsafe conditions in areas within North County have continued through this morning and as a result, the first day of school will be delayed until Tuesday," read a letter that was sent to staff and students. "Safety is our uppermost concern. At this time we do not feel it's safe for our students to walk to school."

Reverend Al Sharpton is also planning to visit the area on Monday night or early Tuesday in order to show his support for Brown's family.

"I just spoke with Leslie McSpadden, the grandfather of Michael Brown. He has asked me to come to St. Louis in light of the police killing of his grandson to assist the family in achieving a fair investigation and justice," Sharpton said in a press release. "I assured him that National Action Network will stand with the family, as we have done for families around the country and assist in any way that we can."