Pictured: St Louis man, 20, ON PROBATION is charged in connection with the shooting of two Ferguson police officers

A 20-year-old African-American man has been arrested and charged in connection with last week's shooting of two police officers during a protest in Ferguson, Missouri.

Jeffrey Williams, who was involved in the demonstrations, is accused of two counts of assault on a police officer, firing a weapon out of a vehicle and three counts of armed criminal action in relation to the incident on Thursday.

If convicted of the crimes, he faces life in prison.

The shooting sent a fresh jolt of tension through a city that became a symbol of racial conflict after black teenager Michael Brown was killed by white officer Darren Wilson last summer

A grand jury later returned no criminal charges.

On Sunday, Robert McCulloch, St Louis County prosecutor, said Williams admitted to officials that he had fired a gun. However, the suspect claimed he was trying to hit someone else with whom he was arguing, Mr McCulloch said.

'We're not sure we completely buy that part of it,' the prosecutor said at a press conference, adding there might have been other people in a vehicle Williams is accused of shooting from.

Mr McCulloch also confirmed that shell casings that were found at the scene have been linked toa handgun that was taken off of Williams.

At the time of the shooting there was a warrant out for the suspect's arrest after failing to show up to sessions with his probation officer. 

He had been convicted for receiving stolen goods.

It comes as anti-police protesters have resumed demonstrations outside Ferguson police station. Many were seen arguing with pro-authority demonstrators and officials on Sunday afternoon.

One masked protester even ripped up an American flag as he condemned the police force.

In the shooting early on Thursday, a 41-year-old county police officer suffered a shoulder wound