Early hour flames engulfed multiple businesses and
vehicles in Ferguson as gunfire kept firefighters at bay when violent protests
erupted over the grand jury decision not to indict police Officer Darren Wilson
in Michael Brown's death.
The protests turned
violent despite pleas for peace from Brown's family, President Obama and
others.
Protesters smashed windows out of police cars and
buildings, several of which were later looted and set ablaze, and officers
lobbed tear gas from inside armored vehicles to disperse crowds in scenes
reminiscent of the early days of unrest that followed the Aug. 9 shooting.
St.
Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar told reporters at least a dozen buildings
were set afire, two police cars among the many cars burned, about 150 shots
fired, police officers pelted with rocks and other objects and about 30 people
arrested.
Belmar and Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron
Johnson said no deaths were reported, but both said they were deeply
disappointed that Ferguson residents went on a rampage that destroyed their own
city, including many local businesses, most of them small enterprises.
"Our community has got to take responsibility for what happened here
tonight," Johnson said.
Separately, thousands of people rallied in U.S. cities
including Los Angeles and New York to passionately but peacefully protest the
grand jury's decision.
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