'Worst night' in Ferguson

St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar said in a press conference during the early hours of Tuesday morning in Ferguson that the current unrest is worse than the initial protests that swept the Missouri town following the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown by a white police officer.

"What I've seen tonight is probably much worse than the worst night we ever had in August," Belmar told reporters, referring to the days following the August 9 shooting.

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

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.

Community torn

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

"I really don't have any hesitation in telling you that I didn't really see a lot of peaceful protest out there tonight, and I'm disappointed about that," Belmar said, adding that he didn't rule out the fact that some protesters had indeed remained peaceful.

In addressing reporters, Belmar also said he had heard 150 gunshots throughout the course of the night and that none had come from police officers, who hadn't fired a shot. In addition, 12 local businesses had been set on fire and 29 arrests had been made.

Regarding the destroyed business and the destruction of property, Belmar said that that "fabric of the community" had been torn.

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.

Obama, Browns 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.

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