Lawsuit looks at riot’s damage
Business owners discuss what they went through in action against city
A West Baltimore liquor store owner was beaten and robbed of his wallet and car keys, which were used to steal his car and drive it from the business to his home about 30 minutes away, as dozens of other businesses were looted during the April 2015 rioting, he says in a federal lawsuit filed last week against the city by about 60 business owners.
The liquor store owner’s account was among those of many property owners and store employees included in a 700-page complaint filed last week in federal court. The unrest broke out April 27, the day of the funeral for Freddie Gray, who died from injuries he received in police custody, and continued into the next morning.
The plaintiffs are bringing a claim against the city for property damage, naming the former mayor, former police chief, city council, city police, state and current mayor as defendants.
A lawyer listed for the city in court records, former police commissioner Anthony Batts and a spokesman for Mayor Catherine Pugh did not respond to requests for comment. Former Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake declined to comment.
Here are some of the accounts from business and building owners who are included in the lawsuit:
More than 380 businesses, including many located south of North Avenue in West Baltimore, were damaged or destroyed during the rioting.