But you know the mantra, "it's still early"; and in any case, the Police Chief isn't sounding so dead certain of the who, where, what, and why as he was two days ago.

(Reuters) - Nearly 48 hours after two officers were shot in Ferguson, Missouri, investigators had dozens of leads but no arrests to report on Friday in the hunt for a gunman who turned a late-night protest against police into bedlam.

St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said authorities had "a pretty good idea" where the gunshots that wounded the officers had originated, without providing specifics, but added that an arrest was not imminent.

The kind of gun used, the shooter's motivation and any connection to the protesters remained a mystery, prolonging uncertainty for a town that has come to symbolize America's struggle with race and policing.

I think what happened is, the police and the rest of the authorities in Ferguson have this narrative stuck on a loop in their heads about ultraviolent bloodthirsty black rioters out for the blood of poor innocent white cops, and it spooled automatically from the Chief's lips the first time he was asked to comment on the shootings. Then he had to back up his words, and it seems like he gave it a try, but 48 hours later it doesn't seem to be working.

The shells in the parking lot don't necessarily have to relate to this incident. I mean, shell casings on the ground in front of the police station in a town that's seen nonstop demonstrations and occasional violence for months? Go figure. They could be salt-free.

My prediction: The shells on the ground will never be heard of again, and eyewitness accounts of where the shots came from will be acknowledged...while the motivation will forever remain a mystery. It'll be tied up with a bow and forgotten about.