Following interviews with witnesses, the FBI and Justice Department are pursuing possible criminal charges against the police officer who shot an unarmed teen in Ferguson, Missouri.

On Thursday, Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. announced that the 'thorough and fair' investigations would determine whether Michael Brown's shooter will be held criminally liable for the African-American teen's death.

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Though Holder did not give out any more details on the probe, his statement was seen as a breath of fresh air after the lingering silence of local officials who declined to release any information about the case.

Management of law enforcement in Ferguson had been transferred to the Missouri State Highway Patrol as protesters peacefully assemble in dissent towards the alleged racially motivated shooting.

According to key witness Dorian Johnson, 'Big Mike' was walking with him down the street when the police officer reportedly open fired at him.

During that time, some African-American teens were stopped by police officers as they raised their hands in a gesture to show that they were unarmed and meant no harm.

Racial disputes had long been an issue in Ferguson as the community is composed mostly of African-Americans while the police force is predominantly white.

Clashes have continued and even intensified in the days following the shooting incident.

However, Missouri governor Jay Nixon told press that he hopes Ferguson will not be defined as a community "that was torn apart by violence," but rather as one "that pulled together to overcome it."

After Brown's death, Gov. Nixon declared that the State Highway Patrol, led by Captain Ronald Johnson, would manage law enforcement in the city.

When asked what he thought about the new responsibility given to him, Johnson said that he takes the responsibility "personally" and has vowed to stop the "cycle of violence" in the area.

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