Baltimore Police chronicle riots online

BALTIMORE (MEDIA GENERAL) – Baltimore Police were already planning to be on high alert following the funeral services of Freddie Gray. Gray died after suffering a spinal cord injury while being transported by police. The investigation into what happened to Gray during that transport is ongoing.

Before the funeral, police said they had received “credible threats” that gang members had partnered up to “take-out” officers. They asked all law enforcement to take precautions to protect their officers.

Following Gray’s funeral, this was the first indication online from police that there was a problem near Mondawmin Mall. This area would soon become the center of unrest.

Immediately following the report of trouble brewing at the mall, police ask for #peacefulprotest, a hashtag it has used before.

An hour after the request for the protests to remain peaceful, police report officers have been injured and the crowd will not leave. We know at least seven officers were hurt.

Police continue to report on sending officers to the area to evacuate those injured and try to quell the crowd. They report the crowd is aggressive and violent armed with bricks, sticks and rocks.

An hour after we first learn officers were injured, police now say they are all receiving treatment.

Police ask for help from the media and parents. They want children off the streets – some to stop causing trouble, others to stop them from getting hurt.

As the fires and looting continued, police wrote about how difficult the violent crowd was making it for firefighters.

By evening, Maryland’s Governor Larry Hogan has issued a State of Emergency.

Baltimore’s mayor has issued a curfew starting at 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Baltimore’s Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called the rioters “thugs.”

Police are receiving supportive messages from many in the community.