Posted on 11/24/2014 6:30:48 PM PST by SeekAndFind
A St. Louis County grand jury has declined to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the case of the shooting death of Michael Brown, USA Today reported Monday evening, quoting Michael Brown's family.
The grand jury's decision was announced by prosecutors Monday evening after weeks of speculation about how they would act on the case.
Missouri officials called for calm Monday in advance of the announcement. The officer's fatal shooting of an unarmed black teen in August had touched off weeks of sometimes violent protests.
The announcement was being made at the courthouse in the St. Louis County seat of Clayton, part of the sprawling St. Louis suburbs.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon urged in advance that "regardless of the decision, people on all sides show tolerance, mutual respect and restraint."
The unusual timing of the grand jury's announcement, after darkness had fallen, was a decision of prosecutors, Nixon said.
He said several local churches would provide shelter, safe haven and medical care in the event of unrest.
St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley also called for calm in an evening news conference. "This is not the time to turn on each other; it is a time to turn to each other. We are one community," he said.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay acknowledged the case "has deeply divided us" but said "turning violent or damaging property will not be tolerated."
"The world will be watching us," Slay said.
Police have said Brown struggled with Wilson inside his police car, then reached for Wilson's weapon. Brown's family and some witnesses say Wilson killed Brown as he raised his hands in surrender.
Now showing a view of a police car burning.
Crowd members yelling Eff the police and Eff FOX news.
Now there is a cop car totally torched on a road somewhere. Hannity just showed it
Showing a business that was looted tonight.
Looting of a McDonald’s in progress. Ferguson Meat Market & Liquor store now being hit. Looters gave up on McDonald’s. Looters entering the building now. The crowd is happy though.
One happy woman with a bottle of gin ran by the reporter. McDonald’s window has been smashed now.
FOX camera just got knocked out.
Woman with megaphone taunting the police. An officer directed Mike Tobin to back away.
gotta agree with the crowd on that one.
The FOX camera didn’t get knocked out, it malfunctioned.
Smith reporting that a group of people formed a chain and stopped the looting of a shop.
If I was a cop there I would be doing serious shooting as to ignore would do nothing for my oath. If I was there my mossberg 500 12 ga and Springfield M1a a1 would be hot and lucifer would be busy.
I suspect that the cops used extraordinary restraint. No one shot by the,.
FOX reporter Harrigan saying shots are being fired about 800 yards away, and that police are returning fire.
Harrigan said that he estimates about a hundred shots have been fired since he has been covering Ferguson tonight.
It is time to gun down these THUGS!
Later it was reported that SMITH was wrong, it WAS deliberately knocked out. Thanks Smith.
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