Violence escalates in Baltimore

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Video also showed a group of people climbing on top of a police car, smashing its windows, and jumping on top of the roof.

Within hours, the city had turned into a warlike scene, with burning cars, looting, smoke, and ongoing clashes between police and protesters.

Earlier on Monday, the Baltimore Police Department’s official Twitter account passed along a statement pointing to a “credible threat” to police.

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“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,” the statement read. “This is a credible threat. Law enforcement agencies should take appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of their officers.”

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The violence in Baltimore comes after several high-profile cases including in Ferguson, Missouri, New York City, and South Carolina that have triggered a national debate over the use of force by police and the tensions between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

UPDATE: Gov. Larry Hogan, R-Md., released a statement saying he was putting the Maryland National Guard on call.

The statement read:

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“Today’s looting and acts of violence in Baltimore will not be tolerated. In response, I have put the Maryland National Guard on alert so they can be in position to deploy rapidly as needed. I strongly condemn the actions of the offenders who are engaged in direct attacks against innocent civilians, businesses and law enforcement officers. There is a significant difference between protesting and violence and those committing these acts will be prosecuted under the fullest extent of the law.

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“My thoughts and prayers go out to the men and women in uniform who are actively working to stem this violence and several who been injured in the line of duty. These malicious attacks against law enforcement and local communities only betray the cause of peaceful citizens seeking answers and justice following the death of Freddie Gray.”

UPDATE 2: President Obama met with newly-sworn in Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and the situation in Baltimore came up.

According to an account of the meeting released by the White House, “Attorney General Lynch assured the President that she would continue to monitor events in Baltimore and that the Department of Justice stands ready to provide any assistance that might be helpful there.

Earlier today, the President also spoke with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake about the ongoing situation in Baltimore. The Mayor updated the President on efforts to address the demonstrations and maintain peace throughout the city. The President highlighted the Administration’s commitment to provide assistance as needed and will continue to receive updates on the situation from Attorney General Lynch and White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett. Jarrett also spoke with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan today.”

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UPDATE 3: The Baltimore Orioles announced on Twitter that that, “After consultation with Baltimore City Police Department, tonight’s game between the Orioles & White Sox at Oriole Park has been postponed.

UPDATE 4: Gov. Hogan has now declared a state of emergency.

UPDATE 5: As of Tuesday morning, 15 police officers were injured, including six seriously, the police commissioner said. A dozen businesses were looted or damaged, including a building set to be an affordable housing center for senior citizens next to Southern Baptist Church in East Baltimore that was burned to the ground.

“Too many people have spent generations building up this city for it to be destroyed by thugs who — in a very senseless way — are trying to tear down what so many have fought for,” Rawlings-Blake said Monday about the protestors turned rioters.

Starting Tuesday, a mandatory curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily will be imposed throughout Baltimore. Hogan also declared a state of emergency. According to Col. William Pallozzi of the Maryland State Police, 5,000 extra officers were requested to Baltimore to deal with the violence and riots.

“I want y’all to get justice for my son, but don’t do it like this here,” Freddie Gray’s mother, Gloria Darden, pleaded Monday night — just hours after his funeral, amid the violence.

Lynch also condemned the violence in Baltimore, releasing a statement saying two top officials would head to the city to help with efforts.

“As our investigative process continues, I strongly urge every member of the Baltimore community to adhere to the principles of nonviolence,” Lynch said in a statement. “In the days ahead, I intend to work with leaders throughout Baltimore to ensure that we can protect the security and civil rights of all residents. And I will bring the full resources of the Department of Justice to bear in protecting those under threat, investigating wrongdoing, and securing an end to violence.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of Baltimore clergy participated in a peaceful march Monday.

“I asked the clergy what they thought of the state of emergency that the governor declared,” WBAL reporter Deborah Weiner said. “They said there has been a state of emergency way before tonight in Baltimore City, an emergency in poverty, lack of jobs [and] disenfranchisement from the political process.”

(h/t CNN, Boston Globe, Think Progress)

This story was published on Monday, April 27 and has been updated.