Violence after Ferguson grand jury decision

Police moved in with tear gas and armored vehicles after sporadic violence broke out in what initially was a peaceful demonstration against the grand jury's decision not to bring charges against police officer Darren Wilson late on Monday.

There were also reports of incidents of looting and police cars being damaged.

Gunshots were heard and bottles thrown at the same time as US President Barack Obama appeared live on national television to appeal for calm.

"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 announcement that the white police officer who fired the shots that killed Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old black man, would not face any charges was made by St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch.

"They [members of the grand jury] determined that no probable cause exists to file any charge against Officer Wilson," McCulloch told a press conference in Clayton, Missouri, where the grand jury met.

Due to fears that violence could break out, particularly if no charges were brought against the police officer involved, security had been stepped up ahead of the announcement.

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

Demonstrations were planned not just in Ferguson, but in cities across the United States, including New York and Los Angeles.

Weeks of protests

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.

Prior to Monday night's announcement that Wilson would not face charges, the circumstances surrounding Brown's death were disputed. While police said Brown had tried to grab the officer's weapons, some witnesses said he had had his hands raised in surrender when he was shot.

pfd/cmk (AFP, Reuters, AP)