Over 80 People Arrested In St. Louis Area As Businesses Torched, Looted

Over 80 people were arrested and local businesses torched in Ferguson, Missouri Monday night following a grand jury's decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson over the death of teen Michael Brown.

Media outlets report that over one dozen businesses were destroyed during Monday night riots in the St. Louis suburb, and firefighters' response times were slowed due to ongoing gunfire in the area. On Tuesday morning, reporters said they only saw the charred remains of several businesses, while some were still burning during the early morning hours.

Additionally, over 80 people were arrested for unruly protest in the St. Louis area on Tuesday evening. Police records show 61 were arrested in Ferguson for burglary, arson, possession of a stolen property, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful assembly, and trespassing, while another 21 were arrested in St. Louis for similar crimes.

 The Los Angeles Times reports that West Florissant Avenue in Ferguson was so overcrowded with looting and gunshots that police officially described it as a crime scene.

St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar held a press conference Tuesday morning, saying he was disappointed in the direction the protests took Monday evening. Belmar added that he heard about 150 gunshots throughout the night.

"I'm disappointed in this evening. […] I didn't see a lot of peaceful protests out there tonight," he said.

Ahead of Monday's grand jury announcement, President Barack Obama issued a statement encouraging protesters to remain peaceful.

"We are a nation built on the rule of law, and so we need to accept that this decision was the grand jury's to make," Obama said Monday. "There are Americans who agree with it and there are Americans who are deeply disappointed, even angry. It's an understandable reaction. But I join Michael's parents in asking anyone who protests this decision to do so peacefully."

A grand jury found 28-year-old officer Darren Wilson should not be indicted on criminal charges for the shooting and death of unarmed teen Michael Brown back in August.