Riots broke out in the City of Baltimore as people protest the death of Freddie Gray, 25. Gray's funeral was held on the morning of Monday, April 27. Gray was arrested on a weapons charge after running from the police. Witness reports cite Gray as indicating he was having trouble breathing after he was apprehended by officers. Gray suffered a spinal cord injury after his arrest. He died in police custody on April 19.

People have taken to the streets in violent protests, throwing rocks at cops and lighting cars on fire and 40 additional state troopers have been called in to backup Baltimore Police efforts. The riots have been taken a toll on the city's infrastructure.

Local business, college campuses and public transportation have been closed. Fans were asked to remain inside of Camden Yards Saturday night at the conclusion of the Orioles game for their safety. Tonight's game was postponed.

Seven Baltimore Police officers are injured and an additional officer is listed as "unresponsive".

Gray's twin sister Fredricka Gray and her family have spoken out against the violent protestors.

Elon student and Baltimore resident Julia Denick voiced her unrest with the events in her hometown.

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Sophomore Ally Kozel, from about an hour north of Baltimore, traveled home this past weekend to attend the Hilton Hotel's black tie gala in Baltimore City to raise money for the Maryland Shock Trauma Unit.

Kozel's dad is the CEO of the University of Maryland Shore Medical Health Center and his hospital was invited to the gala. Due to the protests, the gala was postponed until further notice, Kozel said.

"There was a lot of people expected at the event, I think my dad said 1,000 people expected at the gala, and they were just worried about getting in and out of the city," Kozel said.

Despite the safety risk, Kozel and her dad were disappointed that the event was postponed.

"I was upset I could tell my dad was upset. He had spent a lot of money on my ticket home and the event ticket and the hotel we were going to stay at the hotel for the event for that night and my dress for the night. I know he was definitely bummed about it and I was upset too. I mean, it was still a great weekend at home but I would've liked to go to it and share that event with him," she said.

According to Kozel, she is saddened to see her hometown in disarray.

"It's sad to see that that's your hometown and you never want to see your hometown would become an area on the news with protests and violence. You never want to see it that in that light," Kozel said.

Although she respects the protestors' rights to share their beliefs, she said the way in which they are doing so is not appropriate.

"I understand where people are coming from and people want to express their opinions, but I think it's just been handled in the wrong way and it's unfortunate that the event my dad and I were suppose to go to was a Shock Trauma Gala to fundraise for people who save thousands of lives a year and work long hours to save people's lives, and it's just unfortunate that that event had to be cancelled for violent protests," Kozel said.

 

Video by: Kailey Tracy