Two police officers were seriously injured in a shooting early Thursday outside the Ferguson, Mo., police department amid new protests following the resignation of the town's embattled police chief.

A 32-year-old officer from suburban Webster Groves was shot in the face and a 41-year-old officer from St. Louis County was shot in the shoulder, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said. Both were taken to a local hospital, where Belmar said they were conscious. He said he did not have further details about their conditions but described their injuries as "very serious," but not life-threatening.

Authorities are searching for the gunman. No suspect has been identified.

The protest up to that point was relatively peaceful, but the sound of gunfire just after midnight sent protesters and police officers running for cover. Police dressed in riot gear dragged the injured officers to safety, The New York Times reported.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/03/12/2-p...ice-department/

One officer reportedly said, "This is what they wanted to happen"