May 13th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

Officials say preliminary damage estimates from last month's rioting in Baltimore are at $9 million. Senator Barbara Mikulski's office says the estimate comes from a Small Business Administration survey, which found that 30 businesses and one home sustained major damage. Another 254 businesses and one home suffered only minor damage. The figures could change as officials gather more information. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is defending her handling of the rioting, telling The Baltimore Sun that more aggressive police or military tactics could have escalated the violence. Rioting broke out in the city following the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray in police custody