Three people were arrested for disorderly conduct Monday night after police closed several blocks and commanded a crowd of hundreds to disperse during a gathering to remember slain Baltimore rapper Lor Scoota.
Police Commissioner Kevin Davis said the West Baltimore vigil was peaceful until a small number of people antagonized officers.
“There came a time when a few agitators decided to throw bricks and bottles at police officers,” Davis said. “That’s not going to happen in Baltimore.”
The vigil began about 5 p.m. and by 8 p.m. the crowd had swelled and spilled into Pennsylvania Avenue.
Then two dozen police cars and vans arrived and filled the street. Police ordered the crowd to disperse. The people ignored their commands. Shortly after 8:30 p.m., more than 40 officers formed a line, shoulder to shoulder, across Pennsylvania Avenue. That began a standoff of more than two hours: officers slowly advancing, the crowd taunting and backing up.