WASHINGTON — The University of Maryland, Baltimore campus closed Monday afternoon saying the Baltimore Police have warned that “activities” in the area may turn violent.
UMB closed at 2 p.m. at the recommendation of the Baltimore Police Department, the university says on its website.
The school cited “scheduled activities today beginning at 3 p.m.” School spokesman Alex Likowski said he didn’t know what type of activity might be passing through campus or what prompted the warning from police.
Baltimore Police said in a news release Monday that the department had received a “credible threat” that three notoriously violent gangs are now working together to “take out” law enforcement officers.
UMB closed school because of the potential for violent activity, it says on its website.
Below is the message posted on the university’s website:
Due to reports from the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) concerning scheduled activities today beginning at 3 p.m., UMB will close today at 2 p.m. at the recommendation of the BPD. These activities may be potentially violent and UMB could be in the path of any violence. The safety of our students and employees is of paramount importance please vacate the campus as soon as possible.
The Baltimore offices of T. Rowe Price, a global investment management firm, closed Monday as well.
The company released the following statement Monday:
Based on credible information received earlier today predicting additional protest activities and very large crowds gathering in the downtown vicinity this afternoon, we closed our offices at 100 East Pratt Street as of 2 p.m. today. We took this step out of an abundance of caution and to honor our commitment to the safety of our associates. Business continuity procedures have been implemented to ensure our operations continue uninterrupted. We expect that many of our associates will continue working remotely for the remainder of the day. We will continue to monitor the situation in consultation with local authorities.
Police activity in the area has caused the Mondawmin Metro Station to close until further notice..
Watch a live stream from WBAL-TV of police activity in the Mondawmin Mall area. Numerous police officers in riot gear have responded to the mall in northwest Baltimore and the mall is closed.
Images broadcast by WJZ-TV and WBAL show a line of officers with helmets and face shields blocking off the mall’s parking lot. Some people were throwing objects at officers and a police armored vehicle.
At least one Baltimore Police office has been injured in the incident:
One of our officers has been injured at Mondawmin Mall. The group continues to throw bricks and other items at police officers.
— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) April 27, 2015
It’s not immediately clear if the response was related to a Freddie Gray protest. One man held his arms up as the police moved toward him, an action that has been repeated throughout the Gray rallies.
Gray died of an unexplained spinal injury he suffered in police custody.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
