Freddie Gray Protests, Riots Caused $9M In Damage To Baltimore Businesses, Federal Agency Estimates

Protests and riots that broke out in Baltimore from April 25 to May 3 after Freddie Gray died in police custody caused approximately $9 million in damage to the city’s businesses, according to estimates released Wednesday by the federal Small Business Administration (SBA). Baltimore’s City Council will hold a meeting in June as part of ongoing efforts to determine the exact amount of damage.

Approximately 285 of Baltimore’s businesses were negatively affected by the protests during the time frame, officials familiar with the SBA’s data told the Baltimore Sun. The agency estimates that at least 30 of the business experienced significant damage.

The Baltimore Development Corp., which supports local economic growth, placed the figure higher, estimating that 350 businesses were damaged. More than 100 vehicles and more than 60 buildings were set ablaze during the riots, according to officials. A group of Maryland lawmakers, including Democratic senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, asked the SBA on Tuesday to help inform local business owners affected by the protests on how to apply for financial assistance, Reuters reported.

Gray, 25, was arrested April 12 for illegal possession of a knife and placed inside a police van. He died a week later on April 19 after he suffered a significant spinal injury while in police custody, the Washington Post reported. Gray’s death led to protests, riots and looting that resulted in dozens of arrests from April 25 to May 3.

A local CVS pharmacy was among the buildings looted during the resulting chaos. Tensions in the city reached such heights that Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency and ordered the National Guard to help stabilize the area.

Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby brought charges earlier this month against six Baltimore police officers involved in Gray’s arrest. Charges ranged in severity from second-degree murder for Officer Caesar Goodson to second-degree assault for Officers Edward Nero and Garrett Miller, the Wall Street Journal reported. The U.S. Justice Department will investigate Baltimore police for potential civil rights violations, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said earlier this month.