Baltimore Riots: State of Emergency Declared Following Violent Protests

Baltimore has declared a state of emergency amid violent protests linked to Freddie Gray’s death.

The African American man was fatally injured in police custody.

A week-long curfew has been announced and as many as 5,000 National Guard troops could be deployed.

After dark, a community building that was under construction was engulfed in flames.

On April 27, dozens of people were seen confronting police, and 15 officers were injured.

Freddie Gray, 25, died on April 19 after a week in a coma. The justice department is investigating exactly where and when his spinal injuries were sustained.

Officials have suspended six police officers who were involved in the case.

Monday’s clashes began hours after Freddie Gray’s funeral.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said it was very clear there was a difference between the “peaceful protests of those who seek justice” and the “thugs who want to incite violence”.

Authorities were “deploying every resource possible to regain control of the situation”, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said.

Later, following violence, looting and fires in various spots across the city of more than 620,000 people, she said: “This destruction we’ve seen this evening is heart-breaking.”

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has ordered a week-long curfew from 22:00 to 05:00 starting on April 28. Public schools are to be closed on Tuesday.

National Guard commander Linda Singh said that up to 5,000 troops could be put on the streets.

“We will be out in massive force,” she said, adding that armored vehicles would be used, but Baltimore would not be under martial law.

Extra police officers are also being drafted in from the Mid-Atlantic region.

Earlier, President Barack Obama said his administration would provide whatever assistance was needed.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued an executive order to “protect the lives and property of citizens being impacted by this public emergency”.

Larry Hogan said calling in the National Guard was a “last resort” and that he had “not made this decision lightly”.

Capt. Eric Kowalczyk of Baltimore Police said the 15 injured officers were wounded by thrown objects including bricks and bottles. Two remain in hospital.

Police made at least 27 arrests.

On April 27, fire broke out at a newly constructed community building near a church in eastern Baltimore.

Kevin Harris, a spokesman for the mayor, said the fire was at the Mary Harvin Transformation Centre, described online as a community-based organization that supports young people and families.

Before nightfall, scenes included a blaze at a CVS chemist, stores being looted and police vehicles being burned and vandalized.

Baltimore’s Major League Baseball team the Orioles cancelled Monday night’s game against Chicago’s White Sox as a result of the violence.

Freddie Gray’s death is the latest in a string of high-profile cases where black men have died after contact with the police.