Baltimore Riots: Fires and Looting Continue Into The Night, State Of Emergency Declared

Rioters in Baltimore looted dozens of stores, set fires and threw rocks, bricks and anything else they could get their hands on Monday, injuring officers, media and bystanders as police donned riot gear in response to violence hours after the funeral for Freddie Gray, who died while in custody more than a week ago.

Fifteen police officers were injured in the rioting, and two were still hospitalized Monday night, according to police. Shots were fired at a police officer in the Reisterstown Road and Virginia Ave area, according to the Baltimore Sun. The suspect reportedly ran from the scene.

Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency. Maryland State Police were on hand, and police departments from around the region sent scores of officers to help quell the chaos. National Guard trucks were already rolling toward Baltimore on Monday night, according to NBC Washington.

Looting continued into the night, with police reporting ”a large group of criminals” at Monument and Collington streets looting and destroying property. A car fire was set late in the night at North Avenue and Fulton Avenue.

Across town, a Fells Point liquor store was looted, leading neighborhood bars to close up. Just after 10 p.m., students at Johns Hopkins University reportedly were told to shelter in place due to a few rioters on the streets near the campus.

In the midst of the chaos late Monday, a large building engulfed in flames was visible in the Baltimore skyline. The future home to a senior living facility at Federal and Gay streets was destroyed in the blaze, but it’s not clear it was involved with the rioting. No injuries were reported.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced a week-long curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., beginning Tuesday.

“Too many people spent generations building this city to (have it) be destroyed by thugs,” Rawlings-Blake said Monday night.

A CVS store, one of the first looted in the violence, was set ablaze in the chaos. After fire crews were able to reach the store, Baltimore Police say the group of rioters cut one of the fire department’s hoses while first-responders tried to put out the fire.

See Images of Violence, Fires, Looting as Baltimore Youths Riot

Near 8 p.m., dozens of faith leaders in the area began to march through the riot area to stop the violence. “The clergy are commanding this moment,” WBAL reported.

The Baltimore Orioles, scheduled to play at Camden Yards, postponed their game against the Chicago White Sox.

Schools were canceled for Tuesday.

“I condemn the senseless acts of violence by some individuals in Baltimore that have resulted in harm to law enforcement officers, destruction of property and a shattering of the peace in the city of Baltimore,” newly confirmed U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement. “Those who commit violent actions, ostensibly in protest of the death of Freddie Gray, do a disservice to his family, to his loved ones, and to legitimate peaceful protestors who are working to improve their community for all its residents.”

Stores have been looted in the area of North and Pennsylvania avenues. Media covering the incidents have shared images of cars destroyed, store windows broken and a trash can thrown through the front window of a 7-Eleven.

A group battered police cruisers while others were setting small fires, police said, Officers reported they were using fire extinguishers to put out small blazes in the area. Several cars were destroyed.

”Due to the large number of juveniles in these violent groups, we are asking for parents to please bring your children home,” police said in a statement on Twitter. “We don’t want to see anyone get hurt.”

Seven officers were injured, including one who was unresponsive and some who sustained broken bones, Capt. Eric Kowalczyk said in an update at 4:30 p.m.

The violence broke out after a large group of young people gathering at Mondawmin Mall prompted the mall to shut down and the Mondawmin Metro Station to close. The group became “very aggressive and violent,” according to police, who said people were throwing bricks and other objects at officers.

Several businesses and institutions were closing early ahead of anticipated protests Monday.

• Gov. Hogan: State of Emergency Due to Baltimore Violence
• State Police, Nearby Counties Respond to Baltimore Riots
• Baltimore City Closes Schools on Tuesday
• Credible Threat: Gangs Threaten to ‘Take Out’ Police Officers
• Anticipating Protests, University of Maryland Baltimore, Mondawmin, Lexington Market Close

Screenshot from WBAL.