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- Following Freddie Gray's funeral Monday afternoon, young protesters demanding accountability for the 25-year-old's black man's death clashed with police in riot gear in Baltimore, the Baltimore Sun reports.
- Gray died on April 19 from a spinal cord injury, a week after he was rushed to the hospital while in police custody. Investigators are still working to determine whether police caused his death.
- In protests that became increasingly confrontational Monday afternoon and evening, police reportedly fired tear gas into a group of youths who threw bricks and bottles — which were at times returned by police officers— near the city's Mondawmin Mall, where downtown businesses had already shut down in anticipation of unrest.
Police casualties, property damage, and arrests
The Associated Press reported Monday evening that multiple officers were injured and several protestors were arrested:
BREAKING: Police: 15 officers have been injured in Baltimore riot, 2 still in hospital; 2 dozen arrested.
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 28, 2015
Baltimore residents shared images of burning buildings, which were believed to be associated with the protests:
Holy crap. Massive fire engulfing a building on the corner of Chester & Gay streets in #Baltimore. View from my roof. pic.twitter.com/pFgVsHyezt
— Rebecca Eisenberg (@ryeisenberg) April 28, 2015
Confrontations became violent Monday afternoon
Baltimore Sun reporter Erica L. Green posted video of what she described as an "all out war between kids and police."
All out war between kids and police pic.twitter.com/19y4YJ2Y5X
— Erica L. Green (@EricaLG) April 27, 2015
Officer is down. Badly injured. pic.twitter.com/5lCOTJMS2a
— Erica L. Green (@EricaLG) April 27, 2015
The Baltimore Police Department tweeted from its official account that officers had been injured by protesters throwing bricks:
The group remains at Gwynns Falls & Reisterstown Rd. Several officers have been injured. The crowd is not obeying our dispersal orders
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 2015
We are continuing to deploy resources into the neighborhoods around Mondawmin Mall to ensure everyone remains safe.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 2015
Additional officers have been injured in the area of Liberty Heights and Reisterstown Rd. The group continues to throw bricks at officers
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 2015
Baltimore Sun Crime reporter Justin Fenton chronicled the escalated police presence:
I'm right near Mondawmin and a dozen State trooper vehicles just arrived, all in a line
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) April 27, 2015
Brian Sasser of ABC 7 News reported that officers used tear gas on protesters:
In the last ten minutes, protestors threw things at police in Baltimore, police threw things back. Tear gas and flashbangs just deployed.
— Brian Sasser (@ProducerSass) April 27, 2015
Others on the scene, including Baltimore City Paper's Baynard Woods, shared video of and described the violent confrontations:
CREDIBLE THREAT: Heavily armed group deploying teargas and rubber bullets against children. https://t.co/RGZdPpexG9 #Mondawmin
— Stop The Wars (@sickjew) April 27, 2015
.@BaltimorePolice firing projectiles at protesters pic.twitter.com/tyyIvCgiLQ
— Baynard Woods (@baynardwoods) April 27, 2015
Tear gas pic.twitter.com/R1bHBGlN86
— Baynard Woods (@baynardwoods) April 27, 2015
The National Guard was put on alert shortly after 6:00 p.m:
Hogan statement. Maryland National Guard put on alert. pic.twitter.com/HpTmlj8QAy
— Benjamin Freed (@brfreed) April 27, 2015
A CVS store was set on fire and became the scene of another confrontation between police and protestors, including smoke bombs thrown by police.
Tons of smoke, all appears to be emanating from that cvs pic.twitter.com/U739CklM3r
— Shawn Gude (@shawngude) April 27, 2015
Cops advance, throw what look to be flaming smoke bombs pic.twitter.com/a0eZv0zzW7
— Shawn Gude (@shawngude) April 27, 2015
Cops pushing people back pic.twitter.com/cBUlTGV45F
— Shawn Gude (@shawngude) April 27, 2015
Religious, political, and community leaders pushed for peace
Baltimore's 11Alive News reported that Nation of Islam members were attempting to stop the looting and destruction of local businesses:
#NationOfIslam members putting themselves between looters and storefront, saying "Please. Stop This. Don't Do This." #BaltimoreRiots
— 11Alive News (@11AliveNews) April 27, 2015
So far, a CVS, a check cashing spot and a pharmacy have been destroyed this afternoon in this little corner of West Baltimore
— Joel D. Anderson (@byjoelanderson) April 27, 2015
Meanwhile, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) announced that 150 ministers would met to discuss the evening's events, and Reuters reported that the Baltimore Orioles opted to cancel Monday night's game after a consultation with police.
"It is idiotic to think that by destroying your city, you're going to make life better for anybody," Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said. She declared a week-long curfew to be in effect from 10 pm to 5 am in the city in an effort to curb further violence and rioting, CBS Baltimore reported.
Read more about Freddie Gray's death and its aftermath here.
