Soldier in uniform mistaken for protester, Army says

Posted 2015-04-29 17:03 by Grunt Report with 0 comments

Up to 2,000 Maryland Guard soldiers and airmen were expected to arrive in Baltimore by evening on April 28 in response to riots and violence in the city April 27.

Rioters torched a pharmacy, set police cars on fire and threw bricks at police officers hours after thousands mourned Freddie Gray, who died from a severe spinal injury he suffered while in police custody.

Monday’s riot was the latest flare-up over the mysterious death of Gray, whose fatal encounter with officers came amid the national debate over police use of force, especially when black suspects are involved. Gray was African-American. Police have declined to specify the races of the six officers involved in his arrest, all of whom have been suspended with pay while they are under investigation.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency and called in the National Guard to help restore order. Authorities also put in place a weeklong, daily curfew beginning April 28 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The Guard will be in place for “as long as it takes,” said Rick Breitenfeldt, a spokesman for the National Guard Bureau.

The troops, who are mostly military police soldiers plus a handful of airmen, will provide security, conduct presence patrols and support infrastructure security, Breitenfeldt said.

Plans currently call for about 2,000 Guard troops to support authorities in Baltimore, but the Maryland Guard has up to 5,000 troops available to respond if needed, he said.