Breaking: (US) Ferguson tense as policeman not charged in killing of black teen

The situation in US town of Ferguson in the state of Missouri near St Louis is extremely tense at the moment as a crowd of protesters reacts to the news that the US policeman who shot and killed a black teenager last August will not face any charges. Latest: Many incidents of violence reported.

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St. Louis County police officers in riot gear stand guard in front of the Ferguson police department after a grand jury's decision was delivered on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. Justin Sullivan/AFP

12:20

Police chase demonstrators passing a burning police vehicle during clashes between police and protesters over the decision in the shooting death 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad

There have been numerous incidents of violence in Ferguson Missouri tonight after the grand jury verdict not to indict a policeman in the killing of a black teenager last August.

These include several incidents of arson in which buildings and vehicles have been set alight. Stores have also been looted, gunshots  heard and objects hurled at police who have responded with tear gas. The Missouri governor is asking for support from the national guard to keep order.

Looters run out of a business during rioting on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. /Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images/AFP

Thus far, most incidents have been near police headquarters in Ferguson and the situation does not seem to be out of control. CNN reports that mainly of the protesters are likely from outside the area and these people have regularly been the most troublesome.

High tension as grand jury opts not to indict police officer

The situation in US town of Ferguson in the state of Missouri near St Louis is extremely tense at the moment as a crowd of protesters reacts to the news that the US policeman who shot and killed a black teenager last August will not face any charges.

There has already been some violence and tear gas has been used to contain the crowd.

A short time ago St Louis County prosecutor Robert McCulloch said that a grand jury had been meeting since shortly after the killing, reviewing all the physical and witness evidence in the case. The jurors decided that Officer Darren Wilson could not be prosecuted for killing 18-year-old Michael Brown.

AFP reports that McCulloch told reporters the evidence presented to the grand jury had suggested Wilson had shot as a legitimate act of self-defense during a tussle that broke out as he was responding to a robbery.

He said "an altercation" had broken out as Wilson was sitting in his patrol car and Brown was standing at the window.

"During the altercation, two shots were fired by Officer Wilson while still inside the vehicle," McCulloch said.

"Mr Brown ran east... and Officer Wilson gave chase," he said. "Mr Brown stopped and turned back toward Officer Wilson.

"Officer Wilson also stopped. Michael Brown moved toward Officer Wilson. Several more shots were fired by the officer and Michael Brown was fatally wounded," AFP reports.

Michael Brown's family expressed "profound disappointment" at the verdict, but urged protesters not to use violence.

President Obama quickly went on nationwide television to urge calm. But as he spoke, national television channels split the screen, showing teargas being used against angry demonstrators who had already destroyed at least on police car.

There are also reports of large demonstrations against the verdict in New York and Los Angeles. This could be a long night in the US and we'll be watching.

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