BALTIMORE — Violence swept through pockets of a low-income section of West Baltimore on Monday afternoon as scores of rioters heaved bottles and rocks at riot-gear-clad police, set police cars on fire, and looted a pharmacy, a mall and other businesses. At least 15 officers were injured.
Images of the violence were broadcast nationwide just hours after Freddie Gray was eulogized at his funeral, and Gray’s family and clergy members called for calm. Gray died of an injury he suffered while in police custody.
The rioting did not appear to stem from any organized protests over Gray’s death.
Monday night’s Baltimore Orioles game at Camden Yards near the Inner Harbor was postponed out of concern that the violence would spread five miles east.
The death of Freddie Gray was tragic. I don’t know all the facts so I will not comment other than to say 25 is just too young to die.
Attacking police officers, burning property, destroying a city and creating enough violence and disturbance to close down sports events is thuggery in its ugliest form. This behavior solves nothing and reflects poorly on the community in general.
Those who cry foul at the police and then act like criminals deserve what they get.
