Tear Gas and Flares: Ferguson Erupts Again as Night Falls

Police used tear gas against protesters in Ferguson more than two hours before the extended curfew was set to begin. Now the curfew is in force, and the officers are telling people who are angry over the killing of a teen by a cop to leave the streets.

TIMELINE: Militarized US police face-off with Ferguson protesters

Protesters were marching to a local mall, acting as a temporary police base, when police shot tear gas at them, after just one notice to disperse, Paulina Leonovich field producer for RT's Ruptly agency says.

However, the Missouri Highway Patrol said it was using the smoke canisters to disperse "aggressors" who were trying to infiltrate a law enforcement command post, Reuters reports.

In order to “ensure public safety,” police drove into the protest area in armored vehicles shooting smoke canisters. The tear gas shot by police also reportedly hit the media standing area.

Indefinite curfew: Ferguson police deploy tear gas against protesters

Tear gas, armored vehicles, and flares were being used on demonstrators.

"We kept marching; they started firing tear gas and that's when everybody turned and ran back," said Reggie Edwards, 21, of St. Louis, adding that police fired rubber bullets during the protest. Another protester, Bobby Kalbfell, 27, said he had to help a woman who appeared to be in her 60s flee by placing her on his shoulders. "There was absolutely no provocation," he said.

A police captain told NBC News that a Molotov cocktail may have been thrown behind a strip mall about a half mile from the main protest area, and dozens of police outfitted in riot gear could be seen standing in the parking lot. There was a volley of explosive-like sounds, and a helicopter could be heard buzzing overhead.

Police told MSNBC's Mike Biette and Bruce Carter that a market was set on fire and that shots were fired in Ferguson, though it was unclear who fired them.

Earlier in the evening, hundreds of people line