John Bacon and William M. Welch, USA TODAY 10:15 p.m. EDT April 27, 2015
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called on protesters Sunday to remain peaceful, a day after 34 people were arrested and six police officers sustained minor injuries in clashes over the death of Freddie Gray. (April 26)AP
Rioters in Baltimore hurled rocks at police, destroyed patrol cars and looted and burned stores as demonstrations over the death of a black man in police custody turned violent Monday.
Police said 15 officers were injured and two remained hospitalized Monday evening. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency in the city and activated the National Guard to assist city and state police, calling it a "last resort'' to restore order.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called the rioters "thugs" and said the city was imposing a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew starting Tuesday. She said she asked Hogan to send in the Guard.
"We are deploying every resource possible to gain control of the situation and ensure peace moving forward,'' she said.
The Baltimore Orioles postponed a scheduled Monday night game with the Chicago White Sox. The violence was taking place about two and a half miles from the Camden Yards baseball stadium that is home to the Orioles.
Police said more than two dozen people were arrested. The city's schools were canceled for Tuesday.
After darkness fell, a large building under construction near a Baptist church was engulfed in fire. A spokesman for the mayor, Kevin Harris, said the fire was related to the riots. He said the Mary Harvin Transformation Center was under construction and that no one was believed to be in the building at the time. The center is described online as a community-based organization that supports youth and families.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch dispatched the Justice Department's civil rights chief and director of the agency's community policing office to Baltimore in wake of rioting there. She condemned "senseless acts of violence.''
"In the days ahead, I intend to work with leaders throughout Baltimore to ensure that we can protect the security and civil rights of all residents,'' Lynch said. "And I will bring the full resources of the Department of Justice to bear in protecting those under threat, investigating wrongdoing, and securing an end to violence.''
Dozens of people could be seen throwing bricks, rocks and other objects at officers and at patrol cars with officers inside just hours after funeral services for Freddie Gray. Some demonstrators attacked a stopped police car, leaping on the roof and hood and smashing windows. At least two other police vehicles were set on fire.
Police officers moved in and took down several people near the damaged car. But no police could be seen as rioters looted stores including a CVS pharmacy, a check cashing store, a liquor store and a cell phone store.
People stand on a demolished police car in Baltimore. Violent street clashes erupted there after friends and family gathered for the funeral of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man whose death in custody triggered a fresh wave of protests over police tactics. (Photo: Michael Reynolds, EPA)
A short time later, smoke billowed from the broken windows of the pharmacy. Police said via Twitter that rioters cut a hose firefighters were using to battle the blaze.
Police said on Twitter that looters were "continuing to break into businesses and set cars on fire'' in the area, and that they were responding to reports of looting inside Mondawmin Mall.
The rioting came after days of protests over the death of Gray, 25, who suffered a fatal spinal injury after being taken into custody by Baltimore city police. It was the latest in a series of deadly encounters with police around the country that has triggered a national debate over the use of force, especially against suspects who are black.
Linda Singh, adjunct general of the Maryland National Guard, said they were bringing in Guard troops in armoreed Humvee vehicles. "We are going to be out in massive force,'' she said.
As night approached, Baltimore police used Twitter to describe protesters as "a violent and aggressive group'' and urged citizens to avoid the area.
A woman gestures in front of the casket of Freddie Gray during his funeral at New Shiloh Baptist Church on April 27 in Baltimore. Gray died from spinal injuries sustained while in police custody. (Photo: Eileen Blass, USA TODAY)
Numerous police officers in riot gear responded to the demonstrations near a mall in northwest Baltimore. Police described many of the protesters as juveniles.
A flier circulated on social media called for a period of violence Monday afternoon to begin at the Mondawmin Mall and move downtown toward City Hall, Associated Press reported. Outside the mall, a young person threw a flaming trash can at the line of officers.
The University of Maryland Baltimore shut down its campus, hours after city police announced a "credible threat" that local gangs were targeting police officers.
The police department said the Criminal Intelligence Unit had obtained information indicating "members of various gangs including the Black Guerilla Family, Bloods andCrips have entered into a partnership to 'take out' law enforcement officers."
The department said law enforcement agencies and officers should take appropriate precautions. It was not clear if the threat to officers was directly tied to the concern for safety at the school.
The campus shut down at 2 p.m. "at the recommendation of the BPD." The school cited unidentified "activities (that) may be potentially violent and UMB could be in the path of any violence.
Protesters set cars on fire and looted stores as protests over the death of Baltimore's Freddie Gray turned violent. VPC
"The safety of our students and employees is of paramount importance please vacate the campus as soon as possible."
The schools alert was issued shortly after the funeral of Freddie Gray, which drew thousands of mourners to the downtown Baltimore church.
Gray's death April 19 while in police custody set off a week of protests. Most of the protest were quiet — until Saturday night. That protest began peacefully with more than 1,000 people rallying at City Hall. Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said he moved through the crowd, promising that his office was making systemic changes.
Batts, who is black, said the organized protest had essentially wrapped up when tense confrontations resulted in violence. He has blamed the violence on "agitators."
The protesters "became very violent. They began to throw objects," Batts said Saturday night. "They picked up aluminum barricades and smashed windows at our bars and pubs."
Patrol cars were smashed. Six police officers suffered minor injuries; 34 people were arrested.
Batts said some residents moved between police and the angry crowd, urging the protesters not to damage the city. He commended police officers for showing "tremendous restraint" and city residents for helping tamp down the unrest.
"I am proud of our residents and our police officers," Batts said. "The vast majority of residents out here did a good job. ... A small number of people felt like they had to turn this into an ugly day."
Contributing: Associated Press
RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORERaw: Baltimore firefighters put out blaze at looted CVS | 01:01
Firefighters in Baltimore work to extinguish the flames and smoke at a looted CVS. VPC
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREProtesters loot, set police car on fire in Baltimore | 01:02
Protesters set cars on fire and looted stores as protests over the death of Baltimore's Freddie Gray turned violent. VPC
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREVideo of Baltimore protests captured on city streets | 00:49
Violence erupted in Baltimore as protesters clashed with police, throwing objects and rocks at officers. Check out these videos from social media users who captured some intense moments on the streets of the city. VPC
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORERaw: Looters target stores in Baltimore | 01:54
Rioters in the streets of Baltimore, Maryland are looting local stores. (April 27) AP
Baltimore Police Department officials say a group of 'lawless individuals' attacked officers in the street. 7 officers reportedly have serious injuries and one is currently unconscious. (April 27) AP
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREBaltimore protests halted during Freddie Gray's wake | 01:13
A wake was held in Baltimore for Freddie Gray on Sunday. Protesters took a break from their marching, at the request of Gray's family, and many went to pay their respects. VPC
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREFreddie Gray attorney urges end to violence | 01:12
The attorney for the family of Freddie Gray is calling on the community to end their focus on violence in the wake of Gray's death. Gray suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. (April 27) AP
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREMourners honor life of Freddie Gray at funeral | 02:11
Thousands of mourners turned out for the funeral of Freddie Gray who suffered from a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. (April 27) AP
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREBaltimore mayor: 'This is our city' | 01:21
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called on protesters Sunday to remain peaceful, a day after 34 people were arrested and six police officers sustained minor injuries in clashes over the death of Freddie Gray. (April 26) AP
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREViolence erupts during freddie gray protests | 01:29
Baltimore officials say outside "agitators" triggered some violent incidents that erupted during a mostly peaceful protest Saturday against the death of Freddie Gray. At least five police officers were injured and 34 people arrested. (April 26) AP
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREFreddie Gray protest turns violent in Baltimore | 01:57
Windows were smashed, police were pelted with bottles, and several protesters were arrested as a peaceful rally unraveled in Baltimore. Demonstrators were demanding justice for Freddie Gray, who was fatally injured in police custody. VPC
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREThousands protest death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore | 02:07
Protesters took to the streets of Baltimore on Saturday to express their outrage over the death of Freddie Gray. They marched one day after the Baltimore Police Department acknowledged that it failed to get Gray the necessary medical attention. VPC
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORECrowds gather for Baltimore protest | 00:58
A crowd gathered in Baltimore's Sandtown neighborhood Saturday in advance of a bigger protest at City Hall. Demonstrators are protesting the death of an African-American who was fatally injured while in police custody. (April 25) AP
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREMayor: Freddie Gray's death 'horribly tragic' | 01:10
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake vows to get to the bottom of the cause of Baltimore resident Freddie Gray's death, who was critically injured while in police custody. (April 24) AP
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREFreddie Gray protesters arrested in Baltimore | 01:41
Demonstrators took to the streets of Baltimore for a fifth day on Thursday to express their outrage over the death of Freddie Gray. Clashes between protesters and police ended with two arrests. VPC
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREProtestors march through Baltimore streets | 01:03
Demonstrators marched around Baltimore's city hall and onto city streets on Thursday protesting the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who died of a mysterious spinal injury he suffered after he was arrested by Baltimore police. (April 23) AP
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREProtests heat up as hundreds rally for Freddie Gray | 00:56
Hundreds of protesters continue to march in Baltimore and tensions with police are boiling up as protesters demand answers in the death of Freddie Gray. VPC
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREFreddie Gray protester: 'Not an event, it's a movement' | 01:12
Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Baltimore to protest the death of Freddie Gray who died of a severe spinal cord injury after police arrested him. VPC
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORETension heats up in Maryland after Freddie Gray's death | 01:17
More protests are taking place in Baltimore as supporters of Freddie Gray pressed their demand for justice, and an explanation of how and why he died while in police custody. VPC
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORERaw: Protesters demand justice for Maryland man | 01:32
Demonstrators who launched a week of protests to demand justice for a Baltimore man who died from a spinal injury he suffered while in police custody took to the streets Wednesday. (April 22) AP
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREFreddie Gray's death sparks outrage, investigation | 01:21
As demonstrators called for justice for Freddie Gray, Baltimore's mayor promised that the city would get answers to questions of how and why the 25-year-old suffered a fatal spinal injury while in police custody. VPC
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMORERaw: MD rally held as probe is announced | 01:23
The Justice Dept. said Tuesday it has opened an investigation into the death of a Freddie Gray, who died of spinal injuries he suffered during an arrest. This comes as rally is held for a call for justice. (April 21) AP
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREBaltimore police: No answers in Freddie Gray death | 01:53
Six Baltimore police officers have been suspended amid the ongoing investigation into the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. Video provided by Newsy Newslook
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREWitness said he heard Freddie Gray scream during arrest | 01:12
Baltimore resident Harold Perry said he witnessed police officers arrest Freddie Gray and heard his cries for help. Gray died while in police custody of a severe spinal injury. VPC
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREPolice: still don't know how suspect died | 01:53
Baltimore police released videos Monday showing the arrest of a man who died of a severe spinal injury suffered in police custody. Six officers have been suspended, but investigators say they still don't know how it happened. (April 20) AP
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RIOT ERUPTS IN BALTIMOREWhat happened while Freddie Gray was in police custody? | 01:46
Freddie Gray died Sunday, one week after an encounter with Baltimore police. Video provided by Newsy Newsy
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