The violence and riots which erupted in Baltimore, (Maryland, USA) following death of a 25 year-old African American Freddie Gray in Police custody, has reached critical levels. A State of Emergency has been declared.
April 12, 2015: Police encountered Freddie Gray in an area of Baltimore known for drug deals and violent crimes. Within an hour of his arrest, Gray had fallen into a coma and been taken to a trauma center, where it was determined that he had suffered from a spinal injury.
April 19, 2015: Gray died on Sunday April 19, 2015. He was resuscitated, remained in a coma, and underwent extensive surgery in an effort to save his life. He had lapsed into a coma after his spine was “80% severed” at his neck, he had three fractured vertebrae, and his larynx was injured.
April 21, 2015:Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Baltimore to protest Gray’s death.
April 22, 2015: Protesters called for arrests of those guilty of murder of Gray. Gene Ryan, the president of the local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, expressed sympathy for the Gray family.
April 24, 2015: The Baltimore Police Department suspended six officers pending an investigation of Gray’s death.
April 25, 2015: Some protesters became violent. They damaged at least five police vehicles, and “pelted” police with rocks. At least 34 people were arrested, and 15 officers were injured.
April 27, 2015: Following the funeral of Gray, protests intensified further. Rioting and looting occurred, two patrol cars were destroyed and fifteen officers were reported injured. A police cruiser was destroyed, and some officers suffered broken bones. Maryland governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency, and activated the National Guard.