Jay Nixon: 'Nothing Should Deter Figuring Out How And Why Michael Brown Was Killed'

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon spoke to the media about the situation in Ferguson shortly after the Ferguson Police Department revealed the name of the officer who shot and killed unarmed black teen Michael Brown.

Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson said Friday morning Darren Wilson, a six-year veteran of the force, was the officer who shot Brown. Hours later, Nixon spoke with members of the media and the community, saying he understands there are still lots of unanswered questions.

"Nothing should deter figuring out how and why Michael Brown was killed," Nixon said.

Nixon said "there are going to be some bumps" between now and "the finish line of this process."

Nixon said he thinks the decision to give Missouri State Highway Patrol control of the situation in Ferguson "made a very positive difference over the last 18 hours."

Before addressing the media, Nixon released the following statement on the Ferguson Police Departments' release of Wilson's name:

I’m pleased that the people of Ferguson and the region began to get some long-overdue information today, and I will continue to call for openness and transparency as the parallel investigations into this tragedy proceed to their necessary conclusions. For the sake of the family, the citizens of Ferguson, and the entire region, it is vital that the investigations into the shooting death of Michael Brown move forward in a thorough, open and transparent manner to ensure that trust is restored and justice is done.

Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol also spoke at the press conference, saying "last night was a great night" in contrast to previous nights of police clashing with protesters in Ferguson. Johnson said no arrests were made in Ferguson on Thursday night.

"We did not deploy tear gas, we did not have any roadblocks, we did not make any arrests," Johnson said.