U.S. first African-American Justice chief condemns rioting following black man's death

Newly sworn-in U.S. Attorney General on Monday condemned the rioting in Baltimore, Maryland, which occurred following the funeral of a 25-year-old black man who died after he was injured in police custody.

In a statement issued on her first day as the 83rd U.S. Attorney General, Lynch said those who participated in looting and smashing "ostensibly in protest" of the death of Freddie Gray, who passed away on April 19 after being severely injured a week earlier during police arrest, had done a "disservice to Gray's family."

"I condemn the senseless acts of violence by some individuals in Baltimore that have resulted in harm to law enforcement officers, destruction of property and a shattering of the peace in the city of Baltimore," said the statement.

Lynch said the Justice Department had already joined efforts with FBI to launch an independent criminal civil rights investigation into Gray's death, adding that her department had also started its review of the Baltimore City Police Department.

Preliminary investigation indicated that 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.

Police brutality in the Gray case thrusts Baltimore into the epicenter of a nationwide debate over racial relations following a spate of deaths of unarmed black men caused by white police officers.

"We can imbue our criminal justice system with both strength and fairness, for the protection of both the needs of victims and the rights of all," said Lynch on Monday during her swearing-in ceremony at the Justice Department. "We can restore trust and faith both in our laws and in those of us who enforce them." Endi