A Missouri grand jury decided Nov. 24 not to indict Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer who fatally shot unarmed, 18-year-old Michael Brown on Aug. 9, said Bob McCulloch, prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County. 

A 12-person jury, made up of nine Caucasian and three African-American jurors, had been hearing evidence since Aug. 20, McCulloch said.

The decision comes after months of protests from the people of Ferguson, Mo.

“We are profoundly disappointed that the killer of our child will not face the consequence of his actions,” a statement from the Brown family said.

The statement asked that people keep protests calm and peaceful saying, “Answering violence with violence is not the appropriate reaction. Let’s not just make noise. Let’s make a difference.” The statement asked all to join a campaign to force officers across the country to wear body cameras.

After the crowd learned of the decision, it began throwing rocks and bottles at police officers, despite the statement’s request of a peaceful protest. A CNN on-air reporter said he saw protesters pouring lighter fluid on a police car.

President Barack Obama spoke on the decision about an hour after the decision was released.

“We need to accept this was the decision for the grand jury to make,” Obama said.

He encouraged protesters to show their disagreement in a peaceful manner.

“That won’t be done by throwing bottles, and that won’t be done by smashing car windows,” Obama said. “That won’t be done by using it as an excuse to vandalize property, and it certainly won’t be done by hurting anybody.”

As Obama was calling for peaceful protests, reports of tear gas and gunshots emerged. St. Louis County police tweeted that tear gas was used on the crowd at approximately 9:15 p.m. after smoke was unsuccessful. 

Jared Ingram, sophomore ISU track runner from the Ferguson area, posted on Twitter: “This is my home man…that could’ve been me,” and “And I’m going home tomorrow. I really hope I have a peaceful place to go back to.”

Kendra White, senior ISU track runner also from the Ferguson area, tweeted, “My heart is heavy…” and “I just pray for Mike’s family. No mother should have to go thru the hurt of burying their child.”

Leading up to the grand jury’s announcement:

At 11:53 a.m. Aug. 9, Wilson was at an emergency at a Ferguson apartment building when he heard broadcast of a “stealing in progress” at a market on West Florissant Avenue, according to McCulloch’s statement.

The broadcast described a black male with a white T-shirt stealing a box of cigars. Video surveillance showed Brown and a companion in the store leaving with a box of cigarillos. 

When Wilson arrived on the scene minutes later, he encountered the two on the sidewalk near the store. Wilson saw the box of cigarillos in Brown’s hand and clothing that matched the description Wilson heard over broadcast. 

McCulloch said that an “altercation” then took place with Brown outside the driver window and Wilson seated in the car. Two shots were fired by Wilson while he was still inside the vehicle. Brown then ran east down the sidewalk while Wilson chased him.

During that chase, Brown turned back toward Wilson, and Wilson stopped pursuing, McCulloch said. Brown then advanced toward Wilson, and Wilson shot several more times, fatally wounding Brown. 

McCulloch said the incident took place within 90 seconds of Wilson making contact with Brown. 

During the investigation, McCulloch said witnesses gave varying stories as to whether or not Brown’s hands had been raised. Some said they were raised when Wilson shot at him, while others said they were raised only briefly.

“Many of the same witnesses acknowledged that they didn’t actually see the shooting,” McCulloch said. 

Inconsistent testimonies were unable to determine if when Brown advanced back toward Wilson it was at a “full charge.”

During testimonies, many witnesses admitted they only repeated what they had heard on the streets. Some were running for cover when during the incident. Others stood by their original testimony though physical evidence discredited it, McCulloch said. 

Brown’s blood and DNA were found on the outside and inside of the driver door, the upper left thigh of Wilson’s pants, his collar and weapon.

A bullet from Wilson’s weapon was found inside the driver’s door, striking downward toward the armrest. The second bullet was not found.

Three autopsies were were done on Brown’s body, and all were consistent, McCulloch said.

Wilson fired his gun 12 times.

Brown had a gunshot graze wound on his right thumb, away from the tip of the hand, which he received when Wilson fired the first two shots from inside his vehicle. 

Brown had six more wounds. A graze on his right bicep and wounds to the right forearm, lateral right chest, upper right chest, forehead and top of his head. 

Autopsies determined the shots at the top of head, forehead and upper right chest were consistent with evidence of Brown being bent at the waist.

During McCulloch’s address, protesters began to run down the streets of Ferguson.

“I’m ever mindful that this decision will not be accepted by some. All decisions in the criminal justice system must be determined by the physical and scientific evidence and credible testimony not in response to public outcry,” McCulloch said.

He said, “Decisions on a matter as serious as charging an individual with a crime cannot be decided on anything less than a critical examination of all the evidence. Anything less is not justice. It is my sworn duty and the duty of the jury to obtain justice and not just an indictment or conviction.”