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2nd LD: Maryland governor declares state of emergency amid escalating violence following black man's death

Xinhua, April 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Maryland governor Larry Hogan Monday evening declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard to address the escalating violence and unrest in Baltimore City following the funeral of a 25-year-old black man who died after he was injured in police custody.

Hundreds of rioters in northwest Baltimore Monday afternoon looted stores and went into confrontation with police force with bricks, hours after Freddie Gray, who passed away on April 19 after being severely injured a week earlier during police arrest.

According to preliminary investigation, Gray had suffered a severe spinal injury during or shortly after his arrest.

Baltimore's Police Commissioner Anthony Batts acknowledged on Friday that Gray, 25, was not treated properly after being arrested.

The Baltimore Police Department announced earlier a "credible threat", saying that gangsters had entered into a "partnership" to target law enforcement officers.

After hours of chaos and unrest, hundreds of police later Monday moved into streets which had so far witnessed the worst of the violence, and used pepper spray on rioters who had robbed check-cashing and other stores.

A CVS pharmacy store in the region was set ablaze after being looted on Monday evening, and several cars, including at least three police patrol cars, were set on fire.

"A violent and aggressive group has now moved to the area of North Avenue and Smallwood St. Motorists should avoid this area," warned the Baltimore Police on its twitter account.

As looters continued to "break into business and set cars on fire", as declared by the police department on its twitter account, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced curfew Monday evening.

"A general curfew will be in effect in Baltimore City from 10 p.m. Apr 28 - 5 a.m. May 4th unless renewed or rescinded by order of the Mayor," said the Baltimore Police department in an online statement.

According to the Baltimore police department, 15 police officers were injured during conflicts with rioters. Endi