At Least 20 Law Enforcement Officers Injured in Baltimore Riots - Police

At least 20 Baltimore, Maryland Police Department (BPD) officers got injured during a wave of violence in the city after the funeral of Freddy Gray, BPD’s Chief Spokesman Eric Kowalczyk said on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON, April 28 (Sputnik) — On Monday, the city of Baltimore saw a wave of violence after the funeral of Freddy Gray, a 25-year-old African American who died of spinal injuries received in unclear circumstances while he was in police custody.

Fifteen buildings and 144 cars were destroyed in the ensuing riots, according to the BPD.

Kowalczyk noted that Washington, DC police officers were deployed to Baltimore to keep the city safe.

“Right now we know that a minimum of 20 of our officers have been injured during the course of the lawlessness that took place,” Kowalczyk said in a press conference.

The injured officers declined to receive medical treatment, the spokesman continued.

“We expect that that number might be a little bit higher, but we have reports that our officers sustained minor injuries,” Kowalczyk added.

On Monday night, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency and activated 5000 Maryland National Guard troops to quell the riots.

The New Jersey State Police Department has deployed up to 150 officers to Maryland on Monday to provide operational support with the ongoing situation in Baltimore.