Ferguson hit by arson, looting

At least 29 people were arrested and a dozen buildings damaged or destroyed in Ferguson, Mo., after the announcement that police officer Darren Wilson will not face criminal charges in the Aug. 9 shooting death of teenager Michael Brown. 

According to reports, at least six businesses in downtown Ferguson had been set on fire, and police had deployed tear gas on protesters. Looting was reported at multiple locations.

Gunfire was reported throughout the night. At times, the shots were so prevalent, firefighters were prevented from reaching burning buildings, and the Federal Aviation Administration told Tthe Associated Press that at least 10 flights had be diverted from St. Louis because of concerns over gunfire aimed at the sky.

{mosads}It was also reported that a section of I-44 had been closed in both directions by protesters.

One report indicated that police had used tear gas on protesters who were largely peaceful, and that there were a few violent actors among the demonstrators. 

In a video that aired on MSNBC, protesters appeared to smash the windows of a police car. Officers cocked their rifles while moving in on the car. The protesters moved away from the car quickly. 

Police also appeared to be clearing protesters on one of the streets in Ferguson where demonstrations occurred after Brown’s death. 

There were other reports of clashes as well.

Two police cars had been set on fire, according to authorities. Police said that protesters had thrown objects at officers.

It was not clear how many individuals were participating in the protests, and how large the violent contingent was compared to peaceful protesters.

Protesters had begun to gather outside of the Ferguson Police Department before the decision was announced in a different location. But the crowd did not appear to be violent before the press conference. 

Both police and protesters are under intense scrutiny. After Brown’s death, protests were mostly peaceful but marked by some vandalism of and theft from local businesses. 

Police also took heat for using tactics that many saw as harsh. They deployed tear gas on protesters on several occasions and used military equipment and vehicles. 

Officials, including the president and governor, have urged calm in the aftermath of the decision — as has Brown’s family.

— Updated at 5:56 a.m.