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Baltimore sinks into turmoil as questions surround death of man in police custody
BALTIMORE — As law enforcement attempted to quell rioters, and fire crews battled a series of intentionally set blazes, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday, April 27, 2015, declared a state of emergency.
The order came on the same day that protestors gave way to rioters and looters following the funeral of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who died April 12 of a fatal spinal chord injury sustained while in police custody.
How Gray was injured remains in dispute. Officials have not presented a clear timeline from Gray’s arrest, which was captured in a cell-phone video, to the time paramedics were called. The reason behind Gray’s detention by police also remains unclear.
Under this backdrop of suspicion and uncertainty by many in the African-American community came Gray’s funeral, which took place at New Shiloh Baptist Church in West Baltimore.
Democratic Congressman Elijah Cummings of Maryland spoke at the funeral: “To mother Gloria and to the entire family, I want you to know we stand with you during this difficult time,” according to CNN.
Ground zero for rioters was the Mondawmin Mall, where 15 police officers were injured in a clash with teenagers that began around 3 p.m., according to the Baltimore Sun.
CBS Baltimore reported that posts over the weekend on social media asked high schoolers to rally at the mall for a peaceful protest, but it quickly spun out of control.
Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency and called out 1,500 members of the Maryland National Guard to help restore peace.
“These acts of violence and destruction of property cannot and will not be tolerated,” Hogan said during a Monday news conference.
An additional 5,000 law enforcement personnel have been requested by Col. William M. Pallozzi, superintendent of the Maryland State Police from the regional area in the Mid-Atlantic to assist.
Pallozzi said by evening, many groups have splintered and are moving around the city looting, committing crimes and fires.
Law enforcement will divide the city into sectors and address the most difficult sectors first, Pallozzi said.