Riots erupt, Ferguson burns after grand jury declines to indict cop in shooting
Ferguson, Mo. (CNN) -- A grand jury decided not to indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, setting off fresh clashes between protesters and police in the tense Missouri city Monday night and early Tuesday.
Protesters temporarily shut down Interstate 44 and othres smashed windows of a police cruiser and and set two other police cars on fire.
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The St. Louis County Police Department confirmed that shots were fired near the police department. No injuries were immediately reported.
Some protesters rushed the officers lined up in front of the Ferguson police department. Some in the crowd told the agitators to stop throwing bottles, but their urgings fells on deaf air.
Police responded by lobbing tear gas.
Fearing just such a reaction, Brown's father had urged demonstrators earlier to remain calm no matter what the grand jury decided.
"Hurting others or destroying property is not the answer," Michael Brown Sr. said. "No matter what the grand jury decides, I do not want my son's death to be in vain. I want it to lead to incredible change, positive change. Change that makes the St. Louis region better for everyone."
Brown Sr.'s words were echoed by President Barack Obama, calling for the Brown's death to lead to "incredible change, positive change" and for people not to hurt others or destroy property.
It is an "understandable reaction" that some Americans will agree and others will be made angry by the decision to not indict Wilson, Obama said Monday night.
"First and foremost, we are a nation built on the rule of law, so we need to accept this decision was the grand jury's to make," he said.
After an "exhaustive review," the jurors deliberated for two days, he said. The grand jurors are "the only ones who have heard all the evidence," prosecutor Robert McCulloch said, adding that they voted not to indict the officers on charges in Brown's death
Brown's father was "devastated" that Wilson will not face charges, a spokeswoman for Michael Brown Sr. told CNN's Evan Perez.
"While we understand that many others share our pain, we ask that you channel your frustration in ways that will make a positive change. We need to work together to fix the system that allowed this to happen," the family said in a statement.
President Barack Obama echoed the words of Michael Brown's father, calling for the Brown's death to lead to "incredible change, positive change" and for people not to hurt others or destroy property.
It is an "understandable reaction" that some Americans will agree and others will be made angry by the decision to not indict Officer Darren Wilson, Obama said Monday night.
"First and foremost, we are a nation built on the rule of law, so we need to accept this decision was the grand jury's to make," he said.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Ferguson police station reacted with anger and dismay as word spread that there would be no indictment.
Some people broke down in tears. Others threw their hands up and screamed. A chant arose, " F*ck the police! "
The crowd surged toward the metal gates in front of the station and were met by officers in full riot gear. Another chant arose: "No justice, no peace!"
Some protesters destroyed a police car, and one demonstrator was seen dousing another patrol car with lighter fluid before police in riot gear moved in, CNN correspondent Jason Carroll said.
At least one gunshot was heard near the Ferguson Police Department, CNN's Sara Sidner said.
And some protesters were seen throwing bottles at police.
While protesters chanted late Monday for an indictment in the shooting death of Michael Brown, officials called for calm as the world awaits word of the grand jury's decision.
"No matter what is announced, people will be emotional. I want people to think with their heads and not with emotion," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley. "This is not the time to turn on each other. It is a time to turn to each other."
Wilson, a white police officer with the department, shot and killed Brown, a black teenager, on August 9.
The killing restarted a national debate on race and law enforcement. Nowhere was the tension more evident in the predominantly black town of Ferguson, which has a mostly white police department and town government. Brown was black, Wilson is white.
Supporters of Brown's family back witness accounts that Wilson fired while Brown had his hands up in surrender. Wilson's supporters say that Brown was the aggressor and had tried to take Wilson's gun while he was in his vehicle and that the officer fired in self-defense.
The town couldn't even agree what happened during weeks of street demonstrations. Protesters argued that authorities were trying to stifle protests; officials said they were acting to keep violence under control.
'We're just ready for it to be over with'
The city has been on edge in anticipation of a decision, and activists are prepared to protest. Brown's family has been notified of the decision, an attorney told CNN. Law enforcement sources said the grand jury has been sent home.