Armed SWAT teams arrived on the scene and reinforcements were sent into the area from neighboring counties. Maryland sent 50 state troopers to the Baltimore area.
Protesters could make their way to the City Hall in downtown Baltimore, according to local media reports, where a large police presence has already assembled.
— Baltimore BLOC (@BmoreBloc) April 27, 2015
Police are also concerned that the situation could become complicated by an Orioles baseball game scheduled for Monday night. Thirty thousand people could flood downtown for the sporting event. Police are currently trying to maneuver the demonstrations away from the downtown area.
Looting of local businesses was also reported.
— Baltimore BLOC (@BmoreBloc) April 27, 2015
— Robot Reporter (@theroboreporter) April 27, 2015
— Baltimore BLOC (@BmoreBloc) April 27, 2015
According to police, Monday's protests became "very aggressive and violent," even more so than the weekend's demonstrations. Protesters began vandalizing police vehicles, and several were damaged. Video also showed at least one police car on fire.
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) April 27, 2015
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) April 27, 2015
— Christian Schaffer (@chrisfromabc2) April 27, 2015
— Christian Schaffer (@chrisfromabc2) April 27, 2015
A separate police van has also caught fire.
— Peter Hermann (@phscoop) April 27, 2015
Local news reported that public transportation was disrupted, including one metro station.
— Sputnik US (@SputnikNewsUS) April 27, 2015
— Sputnik US (@SputnikNewsUS) April 27, 2015
— Christian Schaffer (@chrisfromabc2) April 27, 2015
According to witnesses on the scene, rocks and bottles were thrown at law enforcement officers. In response, police reportedly began using pepper spray and mace against demonstrators.
— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) April 27, 2015
— Erica L. Green (@EricaLG) April 27, 2015
Video also showed police donning gas masks as they prepared to use tear gas canisters against protesters.
— Anis (@hertzmau5) April 27, 2015
— Sputnik US (@SputnikNewsUS) April 27, 2015
Multiple arrests were made. According to Baltimore police, at least seven officers were injured. One suffered broken bones and is unresponsive. Crowds reportedly ignored dispersal orders.
— Sputnik US (@SputnikNewsUS) April 27, 2015
— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) April 27, 2015
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) April 27, 2015
— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) April 27, 2015
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) April 27, 2015
Earlier in the day, police had indicated that there was a "credible threat" against police made by gangs, including the Black Guerilla Family, Bloods, and Crips.
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) April 27, 2015
— Agitator In Chief (@BaltoSpectator) April 27, 2015
Video from the scene showed more protesters arriving as riot police assumed formation.
— Cassandra (@CassandraRules) April 27, 2015
Protests have occurred in Baltimore since the death of Freddie Gray on April 19, who suffered spinal cord injuries after being taken into police custody a week earlier. Gray had been unarmed at the time of his arrest.
— Sputnik US (@SputnikNewsUS) April 27, 2015
— Sputnik US (@SputnikNewsUS) April 27, 2015
Protests over the weekend led to the arrests of nearly a dozen individuals. Two journalists were also caught up in Saturday's protests, with City Paper's photo editor JM Giordano saying "They just swarmed over me," referring to police. "I got hit. My head hit the ground. They were hitting me, then someone pulled me out."
Gray's death brought to mind similar instances of police brutality against young black men across the country, including the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson and the death of unarmed Eric Garner in New York.
