Cars vandalized, gunshots in Ferguson

FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — St. Louis County Police say officers have used smoke and pepper spray to disperse crowds near the Ferguson Police Department after some protesters smashed the windows of a police car and threw rocks and other items at authorities. Police cars were vandalized and several gunshots were heard Monday night as crowds erupted in anger after the announcement that Officer Darren Wilson will not be indicted in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Some in the crowd reportedly tried to stop others from taking part in vandalism and other violence. About 15 minutes after St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch announced Officer Darren Wilson wouldn’t be indicted, county police used a bullhorn to tell crowds outside the Ferguson Police Department to disperse, saying it had become an unlawful assembly. Protesters hugged a barricade and taunted police, sometimes with expletives. Some chanted “murderer.” Gunshots were heard down the street and somebody threw a water bottle that bounced off a police shield.