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ST. LOUIS — Police are investigating Michael Brown’s stepfather for angry comments on the streets of Ferguson after a grand jury decided not to indict the police officer who fatally shot his stepson, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Officials want to talk to Louis Head about his comments as part of a broader investigation into the arson, vandalism and looting that followed the Nov. 24 grand jury announcement, St. Louis County Police spokesman Brian Schellman said.

Twelve commercial buildings were destroyed by fire.

Brown, 18, who was black and unarmed, was killed Aug. 9 by Darren Wilson, who is white.

Wilson, who resigned from the Ferguson department last weekend, had told the grand jury his life was being threatened, but some witnesses said Brown was trying to surrender.

Video widely circulated after last week’s grand jury announcement shows Brown’s mother, Lesley McSpadden, on top of a car and breaking down as the decision blares over a stereo.

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Head, her husband, comforts her then yells angry comments, including “Burn this b—h down!”

Family attorney Benjamin Crump has called the reaction “raw emotion,” but “completely inappropriate.”

He did not immediately return messages seeking comment Tuesday.

Head has not yet been interviewed by police, and there is no timetable for when the investigation will be complete, Schellman said.

He declined to discuss what specific charges Head could face.

A message left with a spokesman for St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch was not immediately returned.

Ferguson Police spokesman Jeff Small said that department is not conducting a separate investigation of Head.

Most of the violence occurred in the first two days after the announcement. Peaceful protests have continued, including one Tuesday involving students who walked out of classes from three Ferguson-area high schools.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that teachers joined the students and the Ferguson-Florissant School District provided buses to pick them up and return them to classes by mid-afternoon.

Police and protesters face off in Ferguson.EPAPolice and protesters face off in Ferguson.EPA

It was their first day back in class after Thanksgiving break was extended a day due to bad weather Monday, when similar walkouts were staged across the country.

While daytime protests continue, nighttime demonstrations have waned. There were 124 arrests in Ferguson in the five days following the grand jury announcement, but none since Friday.

As a result, police and the National Guard are scaling back. Schellman said county officers are no longer working 12-hour shifts, though a small contingent will remain posted at night outside Ferguson police headquarters, which has been a focal point for protest gatherings.

Gov. Jay Nixon also announced Tuesday that the National Guard has completed duties in the city of St. Louis and is reducing its presence — which peaked at about 2,200 guard members — in Ferguson and elsewhere in St. Louis County. Still, nearly 1,300 remain in the region.

Nixon also said the Missouri State Highway Patrol will continue to work with local police.

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A car burns on the street in Ferguson.
A car burns on the street in Ferguson. Reuters
A St. Louis County police tactical team arrives on West Florissant Avenue to disperse a crowd as the Beauty Town store burns Nov. 24 in Dellwood, Mo.AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, David Carson
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A man steps out of a vandalized store in Ferguson.
A man steps through a vandalized store window in Ferguson.AP
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A restaurant in Ferguson burns to the ground.
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Firemen stand outside a destroyed Laundromat in Ferguson.
Firefighters stand outside a destroyed laundromat in Ferguson.EPA
A man urinates in front of a burning auto parts store in Ferguson.
A man urinates in front of a burning auto parts store in Ferguson. EPA
A police car burns after being set on fire during clashes between police and protesters
A police car burns after being set on fire during clashes between police and protesters.Getty Images
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Police confront protestors after rioting broke out
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Police chase demonstrators passing a burning police vehicle during clashes
Police chase demonstrators passing a burning police vehicle during clashes.Getty Images
A fireman inspects a burning pizza restaurant in Ferguson.
A fireman inspects a burning pizza restaurant. At least 11 businesses in Ferguson were burned down or damaged by flames.EPA
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A fashion boutique is destroyed in Ferguson.
A fashion boutique is destroyed in Ferguson. Reuters
A protester in Ferguson pours milk on her face after getting tear gassed.
A protester in Ferguson pours milk on her face after getting tear gassed. EPA
Protesters vandalize a car outside the Ferguson Police Department in Ferguson, Missouri, after a grand jury returned no indictment in the shooting of Michael Brown November 24, 2014.
Protesters vandalize a car outside the Ferguson Police Department after the announcement of the grand jury's decision. Reuters
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Protesters vandalize a car outside the Ferguson Police Department in Ferguson, Missouri, after a grand jury returned no indictment in the shooting of Michael Brown November 24, 2014.
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Riot police in Ferguson Getty Images
Police walk past a burning police car
Police walk past a burning police car.Reuters
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Police take cover as demonstrators throw bottles at them after learning that the police officer who shot dead 18-year-old Michael Brown will not face charges, outside the police station in Ferguson, Missouri, on November 24, 2014.
Police take cover as demonstrators throw bottles at them. Getty Images
Police officers confront protesters after the announcement of the grand jury decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old, Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo.
Police officers confront protesters following the announcement of the grand jury's decision. AP
Protesters shove a police car after the announcement of the grand jury decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old, Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo.
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Cars burn at a car dealership in Ferguson.
Cars burn at a car dealership in Ferguson. EPA
A demonstrator listens to a car radio as a grand jury's decision is delivered in front of the Ferguson police department on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri.
A demonstrator listens to a car radio as the grand jury's decision is delivered. Getty Images
A demonstrator flashes the victory sign before a burning police car
A demonstrator flashes the victory sign before a burning police car. Getty Images
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A protester stands with his hands on his head as a cloud of tear gas approaches after a grand jury returned no indictment in the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, November 24, 2014
A protester stands with his hands on his head as a cloud of tear gas approaches.Reuters
Police officers stand guard in front of the Ferguson Police Department as protesters react to the announcement of the grand jury decision, Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo.
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Police officials in riot gear take positions outside the Ferguson Police department in Ferguson Missouri, USA, 24 November 2014.
Police in riot gear take positions outside the Ferguson Police Department.EPA
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Demonstrators display placards in front of the police station.
Demonstrators gather outside the police station in Ferguson as they await the grand jury's decision. Getty Images
People display signs at Cudell Commons Park in Cleveland, Ohio ahead of the grand jury's decision.
People display signs at Cudell Commons Park in Cleveland, Ohio, ahead of the grand jury's decision. Getty Images
National Guard troops arrive ahead of the grand jury announcement
National Guard troops arrive ahead of the grand jury's announcement. Getty Images
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Protesters are seen outside the Ferguson Police Department.
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US President Barack Obama makes his way off the stage following the announcement of the decision in the case of Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown, in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House on November 24, 2014
President Barack Obama makes his way off the stage after issuing remarks on the grand jury's decision. Getty Images
Thousands of protesters march up Seventh Avenue through oncoming traffic to Times Square to protest the St. Louis County grand jury decision
Thousands of protesters march up Seventh Avenue through oncoming traffic to Times Square to protest the St. Louis County grand jury decision.EPA
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Hundreds of demonstrators gather outside the White House after the Ferguson grand jury decision
Hundreds of demonstrators gather outside the White House after the Ferguson grand jury decision. Getty Images
Protesters demonstrate after the decision by a Missouri grand jury not to indict a white Ferguson police officer in the fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, in front of the White House in Washington November 24, 2014.
Reuters
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Protesters run down Interstate 5 in Seattle, WA.
Protesters run down Interstate 5 in Seattle, Wash.AP
Protesters pour milk in each other's eyes during riots in Seattle.
Protesters pour milk in each other's eyes during riots in Seattle. AP
Protesters in Oakland, CA.
Protesters in Oakland, Calif.AP
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A protester waves an American flag during riots in Oakland, CA.
A protester waves an American flag during riots in Oakland.AP
Protesters march during a rally near the Chicago Police headquarters after the announcement of the grand jury decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year old, Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in Chicago
Protesters march during a rally near Chicago police headquarters after the announcement.AP
Asmera Smith holds up a photographic display of people allegedly killed by police during a protest outside the Chicago Police headquarters before the announcement of the grand jury decision not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in Chicago.
Asmera Smith holds up a display of people allegedly killed by police during a protest outside Chicago police headquarters before the announcement of the grand jury's decision.AP
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Demonstrators shout slogans during a march in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 23, 2014 to protest the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
Demonstrators shout slogans during a march in St. Louis, Missouri, on Nov. 23 to protest the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.Getty Images
Locks are seen on mailboxes across from the Buzz Westfall Justice Center
Mailboxes are locked across from the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, Missouri.Getty Images
Workers board up a Taco Bell restaurant along W. Florissant in Ferguson ahead of the announcement of the grand jury's decision.
Workers board up a Taco Bell restaurant in Ferguson ahead of the announcement of the grand jury's decision. Reuters
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Residents begin to gather at the Michael Brown memorial ahead of the grand jury announcement
Residents begin to gather at the Michael Brown memorial Tuesday. Getty Images
A protester sits in a car looking through the window as the car is parked across from the police department in Ferguson.
A protester sits in a car parked across from the police department in Ferguson.AP
Media satellite trucks convene outside the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, Missouri, on November 24, 2014
Media satellite trucks convene outside the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton on Nov. 24.Getty Images
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Police officers secure an area in front of the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, Missouri, on November 24, 2014 where a grand jury has been deliberating.
Police officers secure an area in front of the Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, Missouri, where a grand jury has been deliberating, on Nov. 24.Getty Images
Police officers gather outside the outside Buzz Westfall Justice Center in Clayton, Missouri November 24, 2014.
Police officers gather outside the Buzz Westfall Justice Center on Nov. 24.Reuters
A man holds up a sign protesting the shooting of MIchael Brown outside the Ferguson Police Station in Missouri November 24, 2014.
A man holds up a sign protesting the shooting of Michael Brown outside the Ferguson police station.Reuters
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