Baltimore Area Institutions Close Due to Protest Activity

Several institutions in Baltimore turned in earlier than usual Monday afternoon due to the potential for violent activity.

A standoff between police and a large group broke out near Mondawmin Mall Monday at approximately 3 p.m., leaving several officers injured, including one police said was unresponsive.

The Baltimore Aquarium reported that it closed early out of “an abundance of caution” Monday afternoon and would reopen at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

• See pictures and updates here or at the end of the article.

The Mondawmin Metro Station is closed until further notice, the Maryland Transportation Authority reported at 3:18 p.m.

The Mondawmin Mall closed at 3 p.m., according to Fox 45.

• Officer Injured Amid Riot Activity Near Mondawmin Mall

Baltimore City Community College closed at 3 p.m.

The University of Maryland Baltimore closed early Monday due to activity that it says may involve violence, issuing this statement: “Due to reports from the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) concerning scheduled activities today beginning at 3 p.m., UMB will close today at 2 p.m. at the recommendation of the BPD. These activities may be potentially violent and UMB could be in the path of any violence. The safety of our students and employees is of paramount importance please vacate the campus as soon as possible.”

Several businesses in the area were also closing up shop ahead of potential demonstrations. Lexington Market was closing at 3 p.m. and T. Rowe Price sent employees home early at 2 p.m., according to WBAL.

The precautions came after police sent out notice that it was the target of potential violence.

On Monday morning, Baltimore Police notified the public and law enforcement agencies nationwide that officers were facing a “credible threat” from gangs planning a police “take-out.”

Heightened Tension After Protest-Filled Weekend

Tension and police activity were heightened in Baltimore over the weekend after demonstrations that were mostly peaceful Saturday took a turn overnight, resulting in arrests, injuries and property damage.

University of Maryland Baltimore President Jay Perman said that Saturday may have marked the first time in the school’s history that campus police issued such a shelter-in-place order. Perman noted the campus may be on alert for longer than the weekend.

“Throughout the coming week, we can expect that emotions will run high across Baltimore,” Perman said in a statement. “University officials will do their utmost to alert you to any potential safety issues, so please be aware of safety messages. We also ask you to remain vigilant and mindful of your surroundings.”

• Credible Threat: Gangs Threaten to ‘Take-Out’ Officers
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• Scenes Of Unrest At Baltimore’s Freddie Gray Protests
• Twin Sister of Freddie Gray: ‘Please Stop the Violence’

Photo Credit: University of Maryland Baltimore