Baltimore mayor fires police chief

Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced on Wednesday that she was terminating the contract of Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, saying that criticism of his performance has become a “distraction.” Many hold Batts responsible for the escalation of violence in the uprising after Freddie Gray’s death. Since that incident 2 ½ months ago, murder rates on Baltimore have skyrocketed, with a 48% increase in homicides compared to this time last year. Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, who was previously chief of police in Anne Arundel County, will serve as the interim Baltimore chief.