Gov. declares state of emergency; activates National Guard
Officers injured; stores vandalized in Baltimore violence
7:26 PM EDT Apr 27, 2015
BALTIMORE —Gov. Larry Hogan signed an
executive order Monday declaring a state of emergency and activating the National Guard.
Police officers were injured, stores were looted and fires were set Monday evening as vandals ran through Baltimore.
City police say as many as seven officers have been injured Monday afternoon in northwest Baltimore, where a large group of juveniles converged and began to throw bricks and other items at officers. The officers were injured with broken bones and cuts, and one was unresponsive.
The CVS store at North and Pennsylvania avenues was set on fire around 6:15 p.m. Police have asked motorists to avoid the area of North Avenue between Monroe Street and Druid Hill Avenue.
SkyTeam 11 video showed the same CVS was being looted around 4:45 p.m.
It all started at Mondawmin Mall, which closed early. SkyTeam 11 video showed a large group of juveniles congregating in the vicinity shortly before 3 p.m.
Baltimore police Capt. Eric Kowalczyk said police are not speculating what the disturbances are related to, but are making sure people in the community and officers are safe.
"I know that the images people are seeing on TV are very disturbing. Our highest priority, our first focus right now is to protect the lives of our officers that are out on the street and the people that live and work in that area," Kowalczyk said.
Kowalczyk said they know officers are in harm's way, and are using tear gas and pepper balls.
"As the night goes on, you're going to see us using tear gas and other crowd control techniques so that we can have this end peacefully without any more injuries to our officers or any of the people that are in that community," Kowalczyk said.
At the request of the Baltimore police commissioner, the Maryland State Police sent 42 troopers to Baltimore early Monday afternoon. At 4 p.m. Monday, another 40 troopers were ordered to duty and will be deploying to Baltimore early Monday evening to join the troopers already there. Troopers are being deployed where needed at the direction of Baltimore Police Department commanders.
Governor puts Maryland National Guard on alert
Gov. Larry Hogan's office released a statement Monday evening, saying: "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.
"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."
Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County and Prince George's County police departments have sent dozens of officers to assist in Baltimore City
.
