UPDATE: Signing off for the night. We'll pick this story up again in the morning. I'll leave you with this:
Liberal voters tearing apart another liberal city. Can't wait to hear how this is all conservatives' fault.
— jon gabriel (@exjon) April 27, 2015UPDATE: Well said.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch issues a statement on Baltimore http://t.co/4IKqnPrDi9 pic.twitter.com/RikA2GMMsv
— NYT National News (@NYTNational) April 28, 2015UPDATE: Now that church centers are being burned to the ground, this is probably for the best:
#Baltimore public schools are closed tomorrow in the wake of violent #BaltimoreRiots. #KellyFile
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) April 28, 2015UPDATE: The blame-game begins.
Hogan says he signed order to push out guard "less than 30 seconds" after it was requested by B'more mayor. Asked why the belated response.
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) April 28, 2015UPDATE: This just in. Former Baltimore Mayor and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is flying home from Europe after hearing the news.
O'Malley aide says he'll be coming back early from Europe trip for paid speeches amid riots in Baltimore
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) April 28, 2015UPDATE: This isn't helping things.
During press conference, Baltimore Mayor didn't express any support for police, blamed media, & invited Al Sharpton to come. Sigh.
— Brad Dayspring (@BDayspring) April 28, 2015
UPDATE: Gov. Larry Hogan has declared a state of emergency at the request of Baltimore City (via Office of Governor Larry Hogan):
Governor Larry Hogan today, at the request of Baltimore City, has signed an Executive Order declaring a state of emergency and activating the National Guard to address the growing violence and unrest in Baltimore City.
I have been closely monitoring the situation in #Baltimore and have been in contact with @MayorSRB. #mdpolitics pic.twitter.com/jOZ6JndSly
— Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) April 27, 2015
According to @LarryHogan office, no request has been made for National Guard. Gov. updated on situation
— WBAL NewsRadio 1090 (@wbalradio) April 27, 2015
UPDATE: Capt. Eric Kowalczyk of the Baltimore Police Department addressed held a press conference at 4:30pm and said "a group of outrageous criminals attacked our officers." He called the perpetrators "a group of lawless individuals with no regard for the safety of the people that live in that community."
UPDATE: Wow.
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) April 27, 2015
Freddie Gray died in police custody after suffering a spinal injury in Baltimore earlier this month. He was arrested after a "foot pursuit," according to CNN. He was not securely fastened by a seatbelt while being transported in a police van, nor did he receive immediate medical attention. His death sparked outrage, and added to the ongoing dialogue regarding community relations with the police. Over the weekend, some rioting broke out Saturday, with Camden Yards being locked down due to safety concerns. As Gray was laid to rest today, “a large group of juveniles” clashed with police around 3pm this afternoon. Several officers have been injured, some with broken bones, as objects have been hurled at police by rioters (via Baltimore Sun):
Smoke filled the air as police responded with shields and a tactical vehicle. Demonstrators pelted officers with rocks, bricks and bottles, and assaulted a photojournalist. Several officers were injured in the melee, police said via Twitter."The group continues to be violent and aggressive. They are disobeying dispersal orders. We are working to evacuate our injured officers," police said on Twitter.
Lexington Market, a city courthouse and businesses including T. Rowe Price and Venable LLP said police warned them of large gatherings and protests downtown, days after protests over the death of Freddie Gray turned destructive.
According to a widely circulated flier, a high school "purge" was to take place at 3 p.m., starting at Mondawmin Mall and ending downtown. Such memes have been known to circulate regularly among city school students, based on a film "The Purge," about what would happen if all laws were suspended.
The flier included an image of protesters smashing the windshield of a police car Saturday during a march spurred by the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old man who suffered a spinal cord injury earlier this month after being arrested by city police.
Mondawmin Mall closed at 1 p.m. ahead of the incident. The mall's Metro stop also closed.
A post on the University of Maryland Baltimore's website said it was closing early based on a recommendation from city police. The campus will also stop shuttle service.
Katie reported earlier today that there was a "credible threat" that police would be targeted by various gangs.
LIVESTREAM: via --> WBAL
A police car has been set on fire at North Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 2015A group is now looting a store in the area of North Ave and Pennsylvania Ave. Avoid the area.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 2015Despite having rocks, bricks, and other items thrown at us - officers are using fire extinguishers to put out small fires in the area.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 2015Despite the aggressive nature of this group - we are continuing to deploy resources to neighborhoods in the area to ensure everyone is safe.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 2015The group continues to be violent and aggressive. They are disobeying dispersal orders. We are working to evacuate our injured officers.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 2015UPDATE: There are reports of looting.
Images: Vandals gather at Mondawmin Mall, 7-Eleven http://t.co/VyCFwNsyXY pic.twitter.com/uuJx5RkKrn
— wbaltv.com (@wbaltv11) April 27, 2015Looters running in and out CVS. @wbaltv11 pic.twitter.com/gzDBaPtfaO
— Kai Reed (@KaiReedTV) April 27, 2015Looters just attacked a photographer on North. He ran to nearby MTA Bus. Media retreating now. No police here. @wbaltv11
— Kai Reed (@KaiReedTV) April 27, 2015UPDATE: Police car has been set aflame.
MTA police car lit on fire in northwest Baltimore. Follow live coverage on 11 News: http://t.co/nAl7J9Sqey pic.twitter.com/WeYdoia9aC
— wbaltv.com (@wbaltv11) April 27, 2015Vehicles engulfed. Looters still running around with items. @wbaltv11 pic.twitter.com/ex6RUQJplG
— Kai Reed (@KaiReedTV) April 27, 2015UPDATE: Gray family called for peace today as they laid him to rest
As we reported yesterday, the family of #FreddieGray asked for peace as they laid him to rest today. #Baltimore
— Vanessa Herring (@Vanessa_Herring) April 27, 2015UPDATE: Several police officers have been injured.
Several of our officers were attacked today by criminals while trying to protect residents in the Mondawmin Community.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 2015Baltimore police spox: Several police w broken bones, one knocked unconscious
— Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) April 27, 2015
"This is not okay." - Baltimore Police Capt. Eric Kowalczyk.
— Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) April 27, 2015
— Erica L. Green (@EricaLG) April 27, 2015
UPDATE: Police from Prince George's and Montgomery counties are heading into the city to reinforce Baltimore Police.
Officers from Prince George's and Montgomery counties on scene to assist #Baltimore police. http://t.co/S1dXtwQppa pic.twitter.com/HmHeyeTdRA
— WUSA9 (@wusa9) April 27, 2015
UPDATE: Police say juveniles are in this crowd and they're asking parents to help them bring their kids home.
Several juveniles are part of these aggressive groups. WE ARE ASKING ALL PARENTS TO LOCATE THEIR CHILDREN AND BRING THEM HOME.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 20151/2: We are asking for the MEDIA to assist us in relaying this message. Due to the large number of juveniles in these violent groups.....
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 20152/2: ...we are asking for PARENTS to please bring your children home. We don't want to see anyone get hurt.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 2015
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