A grand jury decision not to bring charges against the white officer who shot Michael Brown has sparked riots in Ferguson, with buildings set ablaze, gunfire and looting.
Protesters torched businesses and police cars after the Missouri jury ruled that Officer Darren Wilson should not be indicted for the death of the unarmed black teenager on 9 August.
Flames engulfed at least a dozen businesses, including a storage facility, two auto parts stores, a beauty supply store
and pizza shop.
Chief Jon Belmar of St Louis County said the rioting was "probably much worse than the worst night we had in August".
He said he personally heard some 150 shots fired at police, while officers had not fired "a single shot".
"I didn't see a lot of peaceful protests out there," Mr Belmar told reporters in the early hours of Tuesday.
No serious injuries were reported on either side but about 80 people were arrested in Ferguson and St Louis on charges including burglary and trespassing.
The protests started immediately after the ruling was announced on Monday evening.
Mr Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, sat atop a vehicle listening to a broadcast of the announcement. When she heard the decision, she burst into tears and began screaming before being whisked away by supporters.
Posts
0 Comments