This is what police officers now look like in Ferguson, Missouri

The death of Michael Brown, an unarmed teenager who was shot by police, on Saturday has caused a wave of unrest in his home town of Ferguson, Missouri.

There are still conflicting reports as to what exactly happened - eyewitnesses claim the teenager was shot while trying to surrender while the police claim he assaulted an officer.

A second man was also reportedly shot by police on Tuesday night after allegedly pointing a gun at an officer - he is now thought to be in a critical condition in hospital.

Michael's shooting has caused a renewed crisis over civil rights and police brutality in the United States.

With pictures of police officers in heavily-armoured vehicles, decked out in camouflage, firing rounds of tear gas and using wooden bullets - it is easy to see how their tactics have been criticised.

The police officer who shot Michael has not been named owing to concerns over his safety but the FBI has confirmed it has launched an investigation into the shooting.

President Barack Obama and the teenager's father, Michael Snr (below, left), have both called for calm in a bid to stop the violence that has tarnished the mourning of this 18-year-old's death.

More: Why Michael Brown's shooting has caused so much anger in the US

(Picture: AP, Getty and Reuters)