BALTIMORE - National Guard troops and the governor's office have descended upon Baltimore after Monday night’s violence and as the funeral of Freddie Gray.

Numerous fires broke out around the city, several shootings were reported, and city schools and business are closed.

Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency, and will set up his department at an office in Baltimore.

National Guard troops are patrolling the city, with some soldiers on foot along Pratt Street at the Inner Harbor.
Some residents started the cleanup at North and Pennsylvania avenues, near a CVS store that was looted and burned Monday. Tow trucks removed torched vehicles from the area.

The Inner Harbor and much of downtown remained unscathed from the destruction. On Monday, many major employers throughout the city, downtown attractions and restaurants closed in advance of what turned out to be violent rioting in parts of the city.

Police reported two people were injured in shootings amid the west and northwest side of Baltimore overnight.
Firefighters responded to at least half a dozen fires throughout the city including a three-alarm blaze at pawn shop in Southwest Baltimore. Firefighters were called to a three-alarm fire at a community center under construction at Gay and Federal streets.

The Baltimore rioting kicked off with rumors of "purge" a reference to a movie in which crime is made legal. A group gathered at 3 p.m. at Mondawmin Mall, where they fought with police, before crowds headed to Pennsylvania Avenue.

The day of violence had begun with funeral for Gray. His family stood with city leaders Monday night pleading for the violence to stop. (Source: Baltimore Sun)

Story Date: April 28, 2015