Baltimore Riots 2015: Night Of Violent Clashes Leaves Parts Of City In Ruins, Shocking Images

The Baltimore riots of 2015 has left part of the city in ruins following a night of violent clashes between protesters and police, the photos captured by journalists at the scene are shocking.

Peaceful protests that followed the funeral of Freddie Gray – the 25-year-old man who died in police custody of a severed spine – quickly turned violent in the hours after the service attended by hundreds of mourners. Criminal elements took advantage of the volatile situation to incite the Baltimore riots, which will go down in history as one of the darkest times for the city and sent 15 police officers to the hospital.

The city’s Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, seem to misspeak and in a way lead some protesters to start the Baltimore riots in 2015, a year that has seen extreme violence following police incidents in which suspects are killed while in custody. The Mayor seemed to suggest that Baltimore police should give protesters the “space to destroy.”

Rawlings-Blake was slammed in the media and blamed news organizations for “twisting” her words, but the damage was done, after thugs took over parts of the city and destroyed businesses, police and private cars, and a ready-to-open senior center among other places on Monday night. Riot police was seen merely standing by in formation – reportedly at the direction of the Mayor – and watching the Baltimore riots continue.

Maryland’s Governor Larry Hogan has declared a state of emergency, which allows the Mayor to call up the National Guard to support police in the aftermath of the Baltimore riots. Many are criticizing the Mayor and Baltimore police chief for acting too late and not allowing police to arrest protesters. Several press conferences are scheduled for Tuesday morning.

[Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News]