Fires, looting in Ferguson

Fires were blazing at several local businesses and a number of vehicles, including police cars, had been set on fire in Ferguson early Tuesday morning. Looters were seen stealing merchandise from the burning buildings.

Various media news organizations with correspondents at the scene also reported hearing gun shots.

Reuters news agency later reported that a police officer had been shot and injured.

The US Federal Aviation Administration restricted flights over the St. Louis suburb in order "to provide a safe environment for law enforcement activities," it said in a statement late on Monday.

The fires were close to the convenience store where a local African American, Michael Brown, was shot dead by a white police officer after a verbal altercation in August. The circumstances surrounding Brown's death had been disputed. While police said Brown, 18, had tried to grab the officer's weapon, some witnesses said he had his hands raised in surrender when he was shot.

No charges against officer

Earlier on Monday, a grand jury decided not to bring charges against the policeman, Darren Wilson, sparking a renewal of protests. The jury came to the decision that "no probable cause" existed to charge Officer Wilson.

A peaceful demonstration against the decision soon turned violent against police, who in turn moved in with tear gas and armored vehicles against the protesters.

There were reports of gunshots and widespread looting in the St. Louis suburb.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon told a press conference that among other things, the National Guard had been called in support police.

Obama, Brown's family call for calm

US President Barack Obama called for calm following the controversial decision.

"I join Michael [Brown]'s parents in asking anyone who protests this decision to do so peacefully," Obama told reporters at the White House. "I also appeal to the law enforcement officials in Ferguson and the region to show care and restraint in managing peaceful protests that may occur," he added.

Shortly after the grand jury's decision was announced, Michael Brown's family issued a statement expressing their disappointment while at the same time appealing for calm.

"We are profoundly disappointed that the killer of our child will not face the consequence of his actions," the statement said. "We respectfully ask that you please keep your protests peaceful. Answering violence with violence is not the appropriate reaction."

The August 9 fatal shooting of Brown sparked weeks of at times violent demonstrations in Ferguson. The shooting also led to a renewed debate across the United States about race relations and police tactics.

kms/mz (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)