Missouri residents sued the city of Ferguson and St. Louis County, claiming police violated their civil rights by using excessive force in response to protests over an officer's killing of an unarmed black teenager.
The Aug. 9 shooting of Michael Brown, 18, by Ferguson policeman Darren Wilson touched off days of protests punctuated by outbursts of violence and looting. Police responded with armored vehicles and tear gas.
"Defendants used wanton and excessive force, under color of law," the residents said in a complaint filed Thursday in St. Louis federal court.