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According to the police timeline, Gray was in a transport van within 11 minutes of his arrest, and within 30 minutes, paramedics were summoned to take Gray to a hospital.<ref name=":1" /> He was taken to the [[University of Maryland, Baltimore|University of Maryland]] [[R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center|R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center]], in a coma within a hour of being taken into police custody.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Baltimore police: Freddie Gray died from a 'tragic injury to his spinal cord'|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/04/20/baltimore-police-freddie-gray-arrested-without-force-or-incident-before-fatal-injury/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 20, 2015|access-date=April 26, 2015|issn=0190-8286|language=en-US|first=Lindsey|last=Bever|first2=Abby|last2=Ohlheiser}}</ref> The statement of charges filed by Officer Garrett Miller against Gray accused him of possessing a switchblade. Miller wrote, "The defendant was arrested without force or incident."<ref name="nyt-suspended">{{cite news|title=Baltimore Officers Suspended Over Death of Freddie Gray Are Identified|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/22/us/baltimore-police-officers-suspended-in-freddie-gray-inquiry-are-identified.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 21, 2015|access-date=April 22, 2015|issn=0362-4331|first=Richard|last=Pérez-peña}}</ref> Officers also reported "that he suffered a [[medical emergency]] during transport".<ref name=bsun-45minmystery>{{cite news|last1=Rector|first1=Kevin|title=The 45-minute mystery of Freddie Gray's death|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-gray-ticker-20150425-story.html#page=1|accessdate=28 April 2015|work=The Baltimore Sun}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Baltimore Police Promise Full Investigation Into Man's Death After Arrest|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/04/20/401110943/baltimore-police-promise-full-investigation-into-mans-death-after-arrest|accessdate=April 22, 2015|publisher= NPR|last=Peralta|first=Eyder|date=April 20, 2015}}</ref> Media have suggested the possibility of a [[rough ride (police practice)|rough ride]] as a contributing factor in Gray's injury.<ref name=donovan>{{cite news|last1=Donovan|first1=Doug|last2=Puente|first2=Mark|title=Freddie Gray not the first to come out of Baltimore police van with serious injuries|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-gray-rough-rides-20150423-story.html#page=1|accessdate=28 April 2015|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name=wusa>{{cite news|title=Baltimore police prisoner rough ride history|last1=Broom|first1=Scott|url=http://www.wusa9.com/videos/news/local/2015/04/24/26329441/|accessdate=29 April 2015|publisher=WUSA 9}}</ref>
According to the police timeline, Gray was in a transport van within 11 minutes of his arrest, and within 30 minutes, paramedics were summoned to take Gray to a hospital.<ref name=":1" /> He was taken to the [[University of Maryland, Baltimore|University of Maryland]] [[R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center|R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center]], in a coma within a hour of being taken into police custody.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Baltimore police: Freddie Gray died from a 'tragic injury to his spinal cord'|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/04/20/baltimore-police-freddie-gray-arrested-without-force-or-incident-before-fatal-injury/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 20, 2015|access-date=April 26, 2015|issn=0190-8286|language=en-US|first=Lindsey|last=Bever|first2=Abby|last2=Ohlheiser}}</ref> The statement of charges filed by Officer Garrett Miller against Gray accused him of possessing a switchblade. Miller wrote, "The defendant was arrested without force or incident."<ref name="nyt-suspended">{{cite news|title=Baltimore Officers Suspended Over Death of Freddie Gray Are Identified|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/22/us/baltimore-police-officers-suspended-in-freddie-gray-inquiry-are-identified.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 21, 2015|access-date=April 22, 2015|issn=0362-4331|first=Richard|last=Pérez-peña}}</ref> Officers also reported "that he suffered a [[medical emergency]] during transport".<ref name=bsun-45minmystery>{{cite news|last1=Rector|first1=Kevin|title=The 45-minute mystery of Freddie Gray's death|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-gray-ticker-20150425-story.html#page=1|accessdate=28 April 2015|work=The Baltimore Sun}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Baltimore Police Promise Full Investigation Into Man's Death After Arrest|url=http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/04/20/401110943/baltimore-police-promise-full-investigation-into-mans-death-after-arrest|accessdate=April 22, 2015|publisher= NPR|last=Peralta|first=Eyder|date=April 20, 2015}}</ref> Media have suggested the possibility of a [[rough ride (police practice)|rough ride]] as a contributing factor in Gray's injury.<ref name=donovan>{{cite news|last1=Donovan|first1=Doug|last2=Puente|first2=Mark|title=Freddie Gray not the first to come out of Baltimore police van with serious injuries|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-gray-rough-rides-20150423-story.html#page=1|accessdate=28 April 2015|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name=wusa>{{cite news|title=Baltimore police prisoner rough ride history|last1=Broom|first1=Scott|url=http://www.wusa9.com/videos/news/local/2015/04/24/26329441/|accessdate=29 April 2015|publisher=WUSA 9}}</ref>


In the following week, according to the Gray family attorney, Gray was resuscitated, remained in a coma, and underwent extensive surgery in an effort to save his life.<ref name=":1" /> According to his family, he lapsed into a coma with three fractured vertebrae, injuries to his "voice box, and his spine was "80% severed" at his neck. Police confirmed that the spinal injury led to Gray’s death.<ref name=":5">{{cite web|title=Six Baltimore officers suspended over police-van death of Freddie Gray|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/apr/20/baltimore-officers-suspended-death-freddie-gray|website=The Guardian|accessdate=April 24, 2015|first=Oliver|last=Laughland|first2=Jon|last2=Swaine|date=April 20, 2015}}</ref><ref name="atlantic-mysterious death">{{cite web|title=The Mysterious Death of Freddie Gray|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/04/the-mysterious-death-of-freddie-gray/391119/|accessdate=April 26, 2015|last=Graham|first=David A.|publication-date=April 22, 2015}}</ref> He died on April 19, 2015, a week after his arrest.<ref name=":0" />
In the following week, according to the Gray family attorney, Gray was resuscitated, remained in a coma, and underwent extensive surgery in an effort to save his life.<ref name=":1" /> According to his family, he lapsed into a coma with three fractured vertebrae, injuries to his "voice box", and his spine was "80% severed" at his neck. Police confirmed that the spinal injury led to Gray’s death.<ref name=":5">{{cite web|title=Six Baltimore officers suspended over police-van death of Freddie Gray|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/apr/20/baltimore-officers-suspended-death-freddie-gray|website=The Guardian|accessdate=April 24, 2015|first=Oliver|last=Laughland|first2=Jon|last2=Swaine|date=April 20, 2015}}</ref><ref name="atlantic-mysterious death">{{cite web|title=The Mysterious Death of Freddie Gray|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/04/the-mysterious-death-of-freddie-gray/391119/|accessdate=April 26, 2015|last=Graham|first=David A.|publication-date=April 22, 2015}}</ref> He died on April 19, 2015, a week after his arrest.<ref name=":0" />


== Aftermath ==
== Aftermath ==

Revision as of 21:26, 30 April 2015

This article is about the death of Freddie Gray. For the protests that followed, see 2015 Baltimore riots.

Death of Freddie Gray
Freddie Carlos Gray, Jr.
August 16, 1989 – April 19, 2015
DateApril 12, 2015 (2015-04-12)
LocationBaltimore, Maryland, U.S.
TypeDeath in police custody
CauseSpinal cord injury
Filmed byTwo witnesses to arrest
ParticipantsFreddie Gray
Six Baltimore police officers
OutcomeDeath of Freddie Gray on April 19, 2015 (2015-04-19)
BurialApril 27, 2015 (2015-04-27)
InquiriesU.S. Department of Justice
Baltimore Police Department

On April 12, 2015, Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African American, was taken into custody by the Baltimore Police Department for possession of a switchblade.[1] While being transported, Gray fell into a coma and was taken to a trauma center.[2][3][4] Gray died on April 19, 2015. His death was ascribed to injuries to his spinal cord.[4]

The circumstances of the injuries are unclear; eyewitness accounts suggested that the officers involved had partaken in unnecessary use of force against Gray while arresting him—a claim denied by an officer involved.[3][4][1][5] On April 21, 2015, pending an investigation of the incident, six Baltimore police officers were temporarily suspended with pay.[3] Commissioner Anthony Batts reported that the officers had failed to provide medical attention to Gray in a timely manner, nor did they buckle him inside the police van when being transported to the police station.[6]

Gray's death resulted in an ongoing series of protests and civil disorder, in the spirit of the reaction to the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown. A major protest in downtown Baltimore on April 25, 2015, turned violent, resulting in 34 arrests and injuries to 15 police officers.[7] After Gray's funeral on April 27, unrest intensified with looting and burning of local businesses and a CVS drug store, culminating with a state of emergency declaration by Governor Larry Hogan and Maryland National Guard deployment to Baltimore.

Backgrounds

Freddie Gray was the 25-year-old son of Gloria Darden. He had a twin sister, Fredericka, as well as another sister, Carolina.[8] At the time of his death, Gray lived in the home owned by his sisters in the Gilmor Homes neighborhood.[8] He stood 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) and weighed 145 pounds (66 kg).[9] Gray had a criminal record, mainly for misdemeanors and drug-related offenses.[9] He had been arrested a total of 22 times in Maryland, primarily for possession and distribution of illegal narcotics.[10] Gray had been involved in 20 criminal court cases—five of which were still active as of his death.[11][9]

The Baltimore Police Department identified the six officers involved in the arrest as: Lieutenant Brian Rice, 41 (18 years on force), Sargeant Alicia White, 30 (5 years on force), Officer William Porter, 25 (5 years on force), Officer Garrett Miller, 26 (3 years on force), Officer Edward Nero, 29 (3 years on force), and Officer Caesar Goodson, 45 (16 years on force).[12]

Arrest and death

Police encountered Freddie Gray on the morning of April 12, 2015,[5] in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood of Baltimore, an area known to have high levels of home foreclosures, poverty, drug deals and violent crimes.[2][13] Gray attempted to flee "unprovoked" on foot, but police on bicycles chased and tackled Gray, found a switchblade in his pocket, and took him into custody at 8:40 a.m.[5][14] Two bystanders captured Gray's arrest with video recordings, showing Gray being dragged into the van by officers. A bystander with connections to Gray stated that the officers were "folding" Gray—with one officer bending Gray's legs backwards, and another holding Gray down on his neck with his knee. Another witness told the Baltimore Sun that they had witnessed Gray being beaten with batons.[5][15]

According to the police timeline, Gray was in a transport van within 11 minutes of his arrest, and within 30 minutes, paramedics were summoned to take Gray to a hospital.[2] He was taken to the University of Maryland R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, in a coma within a hour of being taken into police custody.[2][16] The statement of charges filed by Officer Garrett Miller against Gray accused him of possessing a switchblade. Miller wrote, "The defendant was arrested without force or incident."[1] Officers also reported "that he suffered a medical emergency during transport".[5][17] Media have suggested the possibility of a rough ride as a contributing factor in Gray's injury.[18][19]

In the following week, according to the Gray family attorney, Gray was resuscitated, remained in a coma, and underwent extensive surgery in an effort to save his life.[2] According to his family, he lapsed into a coma with three fractured vertebrae, injuries to his "voice box", and his spine was "80% severed" at his neck. Police confirmed that the spinal injury led to Gray’s death.[3][4] He died on April 19, 2015, a week after his arrest.[14]

Aftermath

Response and investigation

On April 18, 2015, "hundreds" of people participated in a protest outside the Baltimore Police Department.[20] Three days later, on April 21, 2015, according to Reuters, "[h]undreds of demonstrators gathered in Baltimore", protesting Gray's death.[15] The next day, Gene Ryan, the president of the local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, expressed sympathy for the Gray family, but criticized the "rhetoric of protests" and suggested that "the images seen on television look and sound much like a lynch mob." William Murphy, attorney for the Gray family, demanded an "immediate apology and a retraction".[21] Ryan defended his statement two days later, while admitting that the wording was poor.[22]

Charles M. Blow of The New York Times, reminded of a column he wrote several years ago, said that comparing protests to lynch mobs was "too extreme"[23] because it inflames racial tensions by belittling the significance of the history of lynching in the United States.[24][failed verification]

The Baltimore Police Department suspended six officers with pay pending an investigation of Gray's death.[14] On April 24, 2015, Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said, "We know our police employees failed to get him medical attention in a timely manner multiple times."[6] Batts also acknowledged police did not follow procedure when they failed to buckle Gray in the van while he was being transported to the police station.[6] The U.S. Department of Justice has also opened an investigation into the case.[25] Medical examiners confirmed Gray's injuries resulted from him slamming into the inside of the van. It is not confirmed whether the action was voluntary or not.[26]

Public reaction to the death has drawn parallels to the response to the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown, as part of a larger string of controversial uses of force by police officers in the United States.[27][28]

Protests and riots

Main article: 2015 Baltimore riots
Protesters at a police station near the site of Gray's arrest on April 25

As of April 30, 2015, 22 demonstrations had been held nationwide in direct response to Gray's death or in solidarity with Baltimore.[29]

On April 25, 2015, protests were organized in downtown Baltimore, and the protests turned violent as protesters threw rocks and set fires.[30] At least 34 people were arrested, and 15 officers were injured.[7][31][32] On April 27, rioting and looting began after the funeral of Gray,[33] with two patrol cars destroyed and 15 officers reported injured.[7] Protesters looted and burned down a CVS Pharmacy in downtown Baltimore.[34]

In reaction to the unrest, the Maryland State Police sent 82 troopers to protect the city.[35] A Baltimore Orioles baseball game against the Chicago White Sox scheduled for the evening was also postponed due to the unrest.[36] Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency, and activated the Maryland National Guard.[37][38] Hogan also activated 500 state troopers for duty in Baltimore and requested an additional 5,000 police officers from other states.[39][40]

At a press conference, the mayor announced there would be a citywide curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.[41][42][43] School trips were canceled until mid-May,[44][45] and Baltimore's city schools were closed on April 28.[46] In addition, both the University of Maryland campus in downtown Baltimore and the Mondawmin Mall were closed early.[47]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Pérez-peña, Richard (April 21, 2015). "Baltimore Officers Suspended Over Death of Freddie Gray Are Identified". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e McLaughlin, Eliott C.; Brumfield, Ben; Ford (April 20, 2015). "Baltimore looks into Freddie Gray police custody death". CNN. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d Laughland, Oliver; Swaine, Jon (April 20, 2015). "Six Baltimore officers suspended over police-van death of Freddie Gray". The Guardian. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d Graham, David A. (April 22, 2015). "The Mysterious Death of Freddie Gray". Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d e Rector, Kevin. "The 45-minute mystery of Freddie Gray's death". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c Payne, Ed; Almasy, Steve; Pearson, Michael (April 24, 2015). "Police: Freddie Gray didn't get timely medical care after arrest". CNN. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c Bacon, John (April 27, 2015). "Baltimore police, protesters clash; 15 officers hurt". USA Today. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  8. ^ a b Marbella, Jean (April 23, 2015). "Beginning of Freddie Gray's life as sad as its end, court case shows". Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  9. ^ a b c Muskal, Michael (April 22, 2015). "The death of Freddie Gray: What we know - and don't know". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  10. ^ Marbella, Jean (April 29, 2015). "FREDDIE GRAY'S ARREST RECORD: Here's The Rap Sheet Of The Dude They're Destroying Baltimore Over". Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  11. ^ "What we know, don't know about Freddie Gray's death". CNN.com. April 22, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  12. ^ Miller, Jayne. 6 officers suspended in Freddie Gray case, WBAL, April 20, 2015. Retrieved on April 30, 2015.
  13. ^ "Mapping the Clashes Between Baltimore Police and Protesters". New York Times. April 28, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  14. ^ a b c McLaughlin, Eliott (April 21, 2015). "Freddie Gray death: Protesters rally in Baltimore". CNN. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  15. ^ a b Simpson, Ian (April 21, 2015). "Crowds protest death of man after arrest by Baltimore police". Reuters. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  16. ^ Bever, Lindsey; Ohlheiser, Abby (April 20, 2015). "Baltimore police: Freddie Gray died from a 'tragic injury to his spinal cord'". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  17. ^ Peralta, Eyder (April 20, 2015). "Baltimore Police Promise Full Investigation Into Man's Death After Arrest". NPR. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  18. ^ Donovan, Doug; Puente, Mark (April 23, 2015). "Freddie Gray not the first to come out of Baltimore police van with serious injuries". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  19. ^ Broom, Scott. "Baltimore police prisoner rough ride history". WUSA 9. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  20. ^ Fenton, Justin (April 18, 2015). "Hundreds at Baltimore police station protest over man's injuries during arrest". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  21. ^ Baltimore Sun (April 22, 2015). "Baltimore police union president likens protests to 'lynch mob'". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  22. ^ "Police Union Chief Defends Calling Baltimore Protesters A 'Lynch Mob'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  23. ^ Blow, Charles M. (April 27, 2015). "'Lynch Mob': Misuse of Language". The New York Times. Retrieved April 27, 2015. "Lynch mob" is the same ghastly rhetorical overreach that is often bandied about in political discussions — including in this column I wrote seven years ago. It was a too-extreme comparison then, and it's a too-extreme comparison now.
  24. ^ Nigel Roberts (April 24, 2015). "Baltimore Police Union's Boss Inflames Tension With 'Lynch Mob' Remark; 'Rough Ride' Alleged". The Root. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  25. ^ Boswell, Craig (April 21, 2015). "Feds investigating Baltimore man's death in police custody". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  26. ^ "Breaking News: No Evidence that Freddie Gray's Death was Result of Police who Arrested Him". wjla.com. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  27. ^ Swift, Tim. "Baltimore's dual identity explains unrest". BBC News. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  28. ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (April 27, 2015). "Baltimore Enlists National Guard and a Curfew to Fight Riots and Looting". The New York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  29. ^ Elephrame. Elephrame https://www.elephrame.com/textbook/protests. Retrieved April 30, 2015. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  30. ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Grey (August 27, 2015). "National Guard Activated in Baltimore as Police and Youths Clash After Funeral for Freddie Gray". New York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  31. ^ Marquez, Miguel; Almasy, Steve (April 25, 2015). "Freddie Gray death: 12 arrested during protests - CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  32. ^ Wenger, Yvonne; Campbell, Colin. City leader calls for peace after 35 arrested, 6 officers injured, Baltimore Sun, April 26, 2015.
  33. ^ "Freddie Gray's Funeral Draws Thousands in Baltimore". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  34. ^ Ford, Dana (April 27, 2015). "Baltimore protests turn violent; police injured - CNN.com". CNN.com. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  35. ^ "Gov. declares state of emergency; activates National Guard". WBAL-TV.
  36. ^ "Tonight's Orioles game postponed amid violence downtown". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  37. ^ Shapiro, Emily (April 27, 2015). "Maryland Gov. Declares State of Emergency After Violent Clashes in Baltimore". ABC News. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  38. ^ "Governor Larry Hogan Signs Executive Order Declaring State Of Emergency, Activating National Guard" (PDF). Government of Maryland. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  39. ^ @matthewhaybrown (April 27, 2015). "Maryland State Police activating 500 officers for Baltimore; requesting up to 5,000 from neighboring states" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. ^ "Riots erupt across West Baltimore, downtown". The Baltimore Sun.
  41. ^ Muskal, Michael; Hennigan, W.J. (April 27, 2015). "Baltimore mayor orders curfew; 'thugs' trying to tear down city, she says". latimes.com. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  42. ^ Al Jazeera and The Associated Press (April 27, 2015). "Violent clashes flare in Baltimore after Freddie Gray funeral | Al Jazeera America". america.aljazeera.com. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  43. ^ "Baltimore Mayor Imposes Curfew, Says 'Thugs' Trying To Tear Down City". CBS Baltimore. Associated Press. April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  44. ^ "Gov. declares state of emergency; activates National Guard". WBAL-TV. Hearst Television. April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  45. ^ Staff, WMAR. "Concerns over violence leads to area closings in Baltimore". WMAR. The E.W. Scripps Company. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  46. ^ Bacon, John; Welch, William M. (April 27, 2015). "Baltimore police, protesters clash; 15 officers hurt". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved April 27, 2015. Police said more than two dozen people were arrested. The city's schools were canceled for Tuesday.
  47. ^ Stolberg, Sheryl Gay (April 27, 2015). "National Guard Called Out in Baltimore as Police and Youths Clash After Funeral for Freddie Gray". The New York Times. Retrieved April 27, 2015.

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