FERGUSON, Mo. — A crowd gathered in Ferguson erupted in anger, throwing things at police and knocking down a barricade as a county prosecutor announced that police Officer Darren Wilson will not face charges in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Officers are using smoke and pepper spray on the crowd after protesters grew violent.
As St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch read his statement on the decision Monday night, a crowd gathered around a car from which his news conference was being broadcast on a stereo. Brown’s mother, Lesley McSpadden, sat atop the vehicle.
When the decision was announced, McSpadden burst into tears and began screaming before being whisked away by supporters.
The crowd converged on a barricade where police in riot gear stood along the street. They pushed the barricade down and began pelting police with items, including a bullhorn. Officers stood their ground.
The photos below are from FOX 4 viewer Jason Keith, who was in Ferguson when the violence began Monday night. He also gives an account of what he saw in the video at the top of this page
Widespread violence that included looting, shootings and building fires enveloped Ferguson on Monday night. (Photo: Jason Keith/Facebook) 
Widespread violence that included looting, shootings and building fires enveloped Ferguson on Monday night. (Photo: Jason Keith/Facebook) 
Widespread violence that included looting, shootings and building fires enveloped Ferguson on Monday night. (Photo: Jason Keith/Facebook) 
Widespread violence that included looting, shootings and building fires enveloped Ferguson on Monday night. (Photo: Jason Keith/Facebook) 
Widespread violence that included looting, shootings and building fires enveloped Ferguson on Monday night. (Photo: Jason Keith/Facebook) 
Widespread violence that included looting, shootings and building fires enveloped Ferguson on Monday night. (Photo: Jason Keith/Facebook) 
Widespread violence that included looting, shootings and building fires enveloped Ferguson on Monday night. (Photo: Jason Keith/Facebook) 
Widespread violence that included looting, shootings and building fires enveloped Ferguson on Monday night. (Photo: Jason Keith/Facebook) 
Widespread violence that included looting, shootings and building fires enveloped Ferguson on Monday night. (Photo: Jason Keith/Facebook)
