Violence erupted in the streets of Ferguson just moments after a grand jury decided not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown.
"They determined that no probable cause exists to file any charge against Officer Wilson and returned a no true bill on each of the five indictments,” said Robert McCulloch, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney.
Shortly after the announcement was made Monday night around 9:15, gunfire broke out throughout the city.
Local businesses and buildings were vandalized.
Protestors were also lighting police cars on fire.
At one point, officers had to use tear gas to break up the crowds of protestors.
While there are no reports of any serious injuries at this time, authorities say they’ve arrested dozens of people overnight.
"What I've seen tonight is probably much worse than the worst night we ever had in August and that's truly unfortunate,” said Chief Jon Belmar with the St. Louis County Police Department.
"That's not how we create change,” added Captain Ronald Johnson with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “Change is created through our voice and not through destruction of our community."
People in other cities across the country are also reacting to the ruling.
Late Monday night, hundreds of people marched through downtown Philadelphia as large crowds also gathered in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Michael Brown’s family released a statement following the grand jury’s ruling saying in part:
"We are profoundly disappointed that the killer of our child will not face the consequence of his actions. While we understand that many others share our pain, we ask that you channel your frustration in ways that will make a positive change.”
Brown's parents are expected to speak Tuesday at noon.
