BREAKING: Baltimore in state of emergency tonight as National Guard is activated to take control of the city on orders issued by Maryland's governor, Larry Hogan.
Martial law was necessitated to restore order after out-of-control rioting, looting, arson, and clashes with police erupted during today's funeral services for slain Afro-American suspect Freddie Gray.
Gray, 25, was detained by Baltimore patrolmen on April 12th, then rushed to a hospital shortly thereafter with a broken neck. A week later he died of his unexplained injury.
Since then there have been organized, but fairly peaceful, protests demanding accountability from the BPD and a formal inquiry into the young man's suspicious death.
The past few days, however, have seen a dramatic change in the tone of those rallies, which, according to many observers, have become dangerously hostile and confrontational.
Officials believe the violent demonstrators are "imported" and add that there have been "credible threats" from an alliance of gangs, including the Black Guerrillas, Bloods, and Crips, who have “entered into a partnership to ‘take out’ law enforcement officers.”
Thus far seven cops have been injured and a few patrol vehicles destroyed in the now widespread mayhem.
Governor Hogan's decision to bring in the National Guard follows new reports that angry and possibly armed mobs are descending on the downtown district where notable structures such as the Oriole's stadium, the University of Maryland campus, and the Mondawmin Mall are located.
This story is developing.
Baltimore state of emergency tags #FreddieGray #BPD #BlackLivesMatter #NationalGuard
