The shocking preliminary results of a private autopsy have revealed that Michael Brown was shot at least six times.
The independent autopsy was conducted by high-profile pathologist Michael Baden at the family's request. Baden has also testified in the O.J. Simpson, Phil Spector and Drew Peterson murder trials.
The New York Times reports that two of the bullets struck Brown in the head, and the other four struck him in the right arm. One of the bullets shattered his right eye, traveled through his face, exited his jaw and re-entered his collarbone, according to the autopsy.
"This is bound to escalate tensions," the Rev. Jesse Jackson told CNN following the news. "This is a very provocative report."
Following the death of Brown, an unarmed teenager who was shot dead by a police officer Darren Wilson on August 9, the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, MO erupted with protests and violence. Two civilians were shot and injured by protestors, while others hurled Molotov cocktails at police. Several businesses were also vandalized or looted, despite the Brown family's call for peace.
"The protests are disrespectful to my son's memory," Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, told reporters.
"I want all the looting to stop. I do not endorse any rallies. Anybody who is doing this kind of looting is not on my side. I am calling for people to stop-- this this is not helping me out one bit," she said.
Officers fired tear gas into a crowd of hundreds of protesters marching toward a police command post and authorities also struck one defiant protester with rubber bullets.
The violence escalated through the night as shots were fired toward police, and officers were forced to take defensive position behind vehicles.
On Sunday, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon called National Guard troops to the St. Louis suburb.
"Given these deliberate, coordinated and intensifying violent attacks on lives and property in Ferguson, I am directing the highly capable men and women of the Missouri National Guard ... in restoring peace and order to this community," he said in a statement.
The violence was a far cry from the atmosphere earlier Sunday, when hundreds of people gathered at a church for a two-hour peaceful rally demanding justice for Michael Brown.
At the time, Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson addressed the congregation and said he had a heavy heart.
"The past 24 hours have been tough for me," said Johnson, noting that he met with members of the Brown family and was moved to tears.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has approved another autopsy on Brown's body, the Justice Department said. That autopsy will be conducted by a federal medical examiner.
