On this day in 2015, Baltimore police arrest Freddie Gray for possession of a legal pocket knife, referring to it as an illegal switchblade. In the paddy wagon, Gray’s vocal cords and spine are severely injured and he goes comatose. Individual police reports on the incident vary. In one week, Gray will be declared dead. Over the next two weeks, thousands of people take to the streets in protest.

Violence escalates on April 25, as some rioters smash into and loot businesses and throw rocks at police. Over the coming days, cars and buildings are burned, and thousands of National Guard troops join the police. A curfew is announced and hundreds of arrests are made. The unrest settles by May 3.

Gray’s death is ruled a homicide, but all officers involved are acquitted or their cases are dropped.