Just hours after thousands of people gathered for the funeral of a young man who died in Baltimore police custody, cops confronted groups of kids gathered near a mall in northwest Baltimore on Monday who reportedly threw rocks at them. This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
According to the Baltimore news stations, many young people gathered near a mall shortly before 3 p.m., close to a bus stop used by high school students. When police approached them, some of them started to throw rocks, glass, and other items. Police officials have already confirmed that they have used pepper balls and tear gas against the young people, and confrontations between demonstrators and riot squads were still happening at 6 p.m.
Public funeral services were held today for Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old Baltimore man who died on April 19 from massive spinal trauma while in police custody. The Department of Justice has announced that it will investigate the circumstances of Gray's death, which are still unclear based on official police records. Six officers who were involved his death have been suspended. Gray has become the latest symbol of brutality and excessive policing in communities of color across America.
According to Baltimore officials, seven police officers have been injured in today's confrontations. Police have not reported on how many protesters or student bystanders waiting for transportation home may have been hurt in the clashes. Groups of people also reportedly destroyed police vehicles.
On Monday, civil rights leaders and Baltimore religious leaders urged residents to remain calm and peaceful. During the service, leaders like Rep. Elijah Cummings and Jesse Jackson lamented the loss of so many lives at the hands of police. "Most of us are here because we knew a lot of Freddie Grays. Too many," Billy Murphy, the Gray family attorney, said at the funeral.
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