The dust has settled and the smoke has cleared (both in its literal and figurative sense) following the sudden upheaval on Monday that gripped the entire state of Maryland, and sent shockwaves to the whole nation.

Properties and cars on the streets set ablaze, the ensuing smoke billowing up into the air, broken windows and shattered glass scattered everywhere, shops and other commercial establishments pillaged, groups of thugs inciting mayhem and trying to impose their own law (or the lack thereof) were the highlights of what was supposed to be a simple protest for the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African-American man, after being held in police custody.

The scene was redolent only of the chaos that took over the fictional city depicted in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" series. But, this was no Gotham city. This is Baltimore in real life.

And, there wasn't some caped crusader to be relied on. The police force had to do their job, but even them recorded some casualties -- at least 15 officers, six of which in serious condition, according to Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, as reported by CNN.

They needed support and, according to ABC News, 500 national guards were already in the area to assist the local law enforcement; 1,500 more could be on the way.

Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland declared a state of emergency on Monday night while Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake enforced a weeklong curfew between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. that started Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The clearing operations were underway and the security forces have cordoned off the city to prevent another violent uprising.

But, the backwash would include local businesses suffering blows from looting, school classes suspended until safety of students is ensured, a soon-to-be completed Southern Baptist Church facility that would provide affordable housing for the elderly destroyed by fire, and, overall, just a magnificent city built through time marred and reduced to chaos in just a matter of hours.

The unrest escalated after Freddie Gray's funeral midday on Monday. He was in coma for a week because of an injury in his spinal column. He died on the 19^th of April. BBC News reports that six police officers were already suspended and the justice department is conducting further investigation.

According to CNN, the Baltimore police force got a credible threat early Monday that gangs around the area were teaming up against them. By the afternoon, they were already hurled at with solid objects by what looked like high school students.

The Gray family denounces the violence with Freddie's mother saying that she wanted people to seek justice for her son but never this way.