Ear Hustle

Baltimore Erupts In Violence After The Funeral Of Freddie Gray

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Photo Credit: WJZ

A riot erupted on the streets of Baltimore late Monday as protesters clashed with police, several of whom were injured.

“This afternoon, a group of outrageous criminals attacked our officers. Right now, we have seven officers that have serious injuries, including broken bones, and one officer who is unconscious,” Capt. Eric Kowalczyk told reporters.

He vowed to find the attackers and put them in jail, supported by lawyers for personal injury cases

Video showed police in riot gear taking cover behind an armored vehicle, as protesters pelted them with rocks.

At one point, it looked like officers used tear gas. The Baltimore Police Department said it had heard reports of protesters setting small items on fire, and footage showed a cruiser in flames.

Video also showed people looting local stores.

“You’re going to see tear gas. You’re going to see pepper balls. We’re going to use appropriate methods to ensure that we’re able to preserve the safety of that community,” Kowalczyk said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries among the protesters.
Earlier in the day, the Baltimore Police Department said it had received a “credible threat” that gangs were teaming up to “take out” officers.

It did not say where the information came from, nor did it say whether the threat was tied to the recent death of Freddie Gray. Gray died in police custody under circumstances that remain unclear.

His death has sparked ongoing protests in Baltimore and raised long-simmering tensions between police and residents there.
“The Baltimore Police Department/Criminal Intelligence Unit has received credible information that members of various gangs including the Black Guerilla Family, Bloods, and Crips have entered into a partnership to ‘take out’ law enforcement officers,” police said. “This is a credible threat.”
Monday’s violence came the same day as Gray’s funeral. The 25-year-old was arrested on April 12 and died one week later from a fatal spinal cord injury.

“I am sure that the family is concerned, and I am positive that they are against what is beginning to develop here in town,” Billy Murphy, an attorney for the Gray family, told CNN.

“They don’t deserve this any more than Freddie Gray deserved it,” he said about the injured officers.

In spite of the violence, the Baltimore Orioles say the baseball team has consulted with Baltimore police, and plans to play Monday night’s home game against the Chicago White Sox as scheduled, a source with knowledge of the situation told CNN Sports.

Over the weekend, a few protesters vandalized police cars, threw objects at officers, cursed at them and scuffled with them.

About a dozen young men smashed squad cars with garbage cans, climbed on top of them and stomped on them, CNN video showed.

Source: CNN

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