Michael Brown shooting: St. Louis awaits grand jury decision, authorities prepare

The casket of Michael Brown sits inside Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church awaiting the start of his funeral on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014. Brown, who is black, was unarmed when he was shot Aug. 9 in Ferguson, Mo., by Officer Darren Wilson, who is white. Protesters took to the streets of the St. Louis suburb night after night, calling for change and drawing national attention to issues surrounding race and policing. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post Dispatch, Robert Cohen, Pool)

A grand jury is nearing the end of its investigation into the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, the 18-year-old African-American man who was shot and killed by a white police officer in August. Protests erupted in the city of Ferguson for several days.

A grand jury is nearing the end of its investigation into the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, the 18-year-old African-American man who was shot and killed by a police officer in St. Louis in August.

The jury is weighing whether Officer Darren Wilson was justified in using deadly force against Brown. As the decision is awaited, authorities in the region are doing their best to persuade residents to remain calm no matter what.

“Our expectation is that people will exercise their rights and raise their voices in a legal, constructive manner,” said St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley. “Law enforcement is prepared to deal with the few who are intent on doing otherwise. Our region is at a crossroads, but I believe we as a community will deal with this situation the way we always have. By working together over time."

For more on the recent developments and the mood in Missouri, Take Two is joined by St. Louis Dispatch reporter Robert Patrick.