25 November 2014 Last updated at06:50 ET
Police reported making 29 arrests
Some demonstrators celebrated as businesses burned in Ferguson
Police say they did not use their firearms during the rioting
Pepper spray was fired by police
As shops burned, protesters demanded "justice for Mike Brown"
'Out of control'
Michael Brown killing - Darren Wilson's testimony
'Y'all wrong!'
Mr Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, is comforted by supporters in Ferguson
An undated family snapshot of Michael Brown
An undated photo of Darren Wilson undergoing a medical examination after the shooting
Ferguson riots: Ruling sparks night of violence
Police reported making 29 arrests
The US town of Ferguson has seen rioting and looting after a jury decided not to bring charges over the killing of a black teenager.
Michael Brown was shot by a white police officer, Darren Wilson, on 9 August, sparking protests.
A police chief said violence in the suburb of St Louis, Missouri, was "probably much worse" than all previous unrest over the black teenager's death.
St Louis County police chief Jon Belmar said rioters had fired 150 shots.
Many in the African-American community had called for Mr Wilson to be charged with murder, but following lengthy deliberations a grand jury - of nine white and three black members - made no recommendation of charges.
President Barack Obama joined the teenager's family on Monday in appealing for calm, urging Americans to accept the decision was "the grand jury's to make''.
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool reported seeing more vandalism and looting after Monday's ruling than on any night in August.
Some demonstrators celebrated as businesses burned in FergusonPolice say they did not use their firearms during the riotingPepper spray was fired by policeAs shops burned, protesters demanded "justice for Mike Brown"
Hours after the initial violence began, a large blaze at one business in Ferguson continued to burn as firefighters battled to bring it under control.
Police had made 29 arrests, Mr Belmar said, and there were reports of shops being looted.
Police chief: "Violence... probably worse than the worst night we had in August"
The fabric of the community, he said, had been "torn apart" in Ferguson, which is a predominantly black community patrolled by a mainly white police force.
"I didn't see a lot of peaceful protest out there tonight, and I'm disappointed about that," Mr Belmar said. "Unfortunately this spun out of control."
"I don't think we were underprepared," he added. "But I'll be honest with you, unless we bring 10,000 policemen in here, I don't think we can prevent folks who really are intent on destroying a community."
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon called up the National Guard ahead of the jury's decision as a precaution but it appears they were not deployed against the rioters.
As protesters charged barricades, hurling glass bottles, police responded with smoke and tear gas.
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool abandoned an interview as tear gas landed near him
One protester, Charles Miller, told the BBC that while he did not advocate violence, he understood why people were angry.
"You can't just go shoot an 18-year-old who's unarmed on the street, despite what the story may have been," he said.
"He was unarmed and you are an armed law enforcement officer who's been trained in combat. So I think people are rightfully upset."
After the situation calmed down, he added, he hoped there would be an "opportunity to really grow and change a lot of things, and make sure [Michael Brown's] death didn't mean nothing".
Thousands of people also protested in other US cities, from Los Angeles to New York.
- Mr Wilson says he tried to block Mr Brown and his friend with his police vehicle in connection with a robbery
- When he tried to open the car door, Mr Wilson says Mr Brown slammed it back shut
- The officer says he then reopened the door and pushed Mr Brown with it, and was hit in the face by Mr Brown
- When he drew his gun, he says, Mr Brown grabbed it and insulted him
- A shot went through the police car window and Mr Brown stepped back, he says, but looked at him with the "most intense, aggressive face"
- He fired two more shots in the car before Mr Brown ran off, he says
- Mr Brown stopped, the officer says, and was told to get on the ground; instead he advanced on Mr Wilson, putting his right hand under his shirt in the waistband of his trousers
- Mr Wilson opened fire on Mr Brown.
Read more of Darren Wilson's testimony (Warning: Explicit language)
Full grand jury evidence via St Louis Public Radio
Much of the debate since August has centred on whether Michael Brown was attempting to surrender to Darren Wilson when he was shot.
The chant "Hands up, don't shoot" has become widely used in a reference to the incident. But state prosecutor Robert McCulloch said some witness statements had been contradicted by physical evidence.
State prosecutor Bob McCulloch: No "probable cause" for indictment
Police say there was a struggle between the teenager and the officer before the shooting.
In his own testimony, Mr Wilson says that before the shooting Mr Brown pushed him back into his car, hit him and briefly grabbed his drawn gun.
The jury was made up of 12 randomly picked citizens from the state of Missouri. At least nine votes were needed in order to issue an indictment.
Mr Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, is comforted by supporters in FergusonAn undated family snapshot of Michael BrownAn undated photo of Darren Wilson undergoing a medical examination after the shooting
Mr Brown's family said in a statement: "We are profoundly disappointed that the killer of our child will not face the consequence of his actions."
But they also appealed for calm, saying, "Let's not just make noise, let's make a difference," and calling for all police to wear body cameras.
Mr Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden, wept at news of the jury's decision as she was comforted by supporters outside the police station in Ferguson.
Ferguson decision: A timeline of events
According to the New York Times, she yelled "They wrong!", pointing toward the police officers standing outside of the station. "Y'all know y'all wrong!" she shouted.
Mr Brown's family could yet file a wrongful-death lawsuit against Mr Wilson.
Meanwhile, a justice ministry investigation is still under way into whether the police officer violated Mr Brown's civil rights.
Darren Wilson, 28, is currently on paid leave and has kept out of the public eye.
The ministry is also investigating practices at the Ferguson police department. bbc
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