Baltimore Wakes to a City in Tatters After Night of Riots, Fires
BALTIMORE, April 28 (UPI) — Baltimore residents woke up to a city that looked like a war zone Tuesday after a night of riots, fires and looting.
Gangs of mostly young men roamed the streets, setting fires and seriously injuring police officers. The violence erupted hours after the funeral for Freddie Gray, who died as a result of a broken spine while in police custody.
At least 27 people have been arrested, and 15 police officers were injured, six seriously.
Schools were closed.
More than a dozen buildings were looted and damaged. One looter was was reportedly sent to the hospital in critical condition after getting trapped inside a burning building.
Early Tuesday, many of the fires were still smoldering and sounds of police sirens could be heard across the city. Among the huge fires was one at a new senior center being built by the Southern Baptist Church in eastern Baltimore. It is unclear if the blaze was related to the violence.
Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency, calling in the National Guard. The state police requested up to 5,000 reinforcements from neighboring areas.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake surveyed the fire damage and called for a weeklong curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for adults and children.
“This is one of our darkest days as a city,” she said. “What does it solve?”
Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said the problems Monday began after a group of teens confronted police. Police learned on social media that demonstrators were gathering at the Mondawmin Mall, a transportation hub for students from several schools, and planned to move to City Hall.
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