The Baltimore Police Department has completed its investigation into the April 12 death of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old black man who died of a spinal injury a week after he was arrested for allegedly carrying a switchblade and fleeing police.
The department’s findings went to State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, who announced Friday that all six officers involved in Gray’s arrest will be now face charges including manslaughter, assault and misconduct. One will face a murder charge. There was no probable cause for his arrest, Mosby said.
Gray, who was already wearing handcuffs after his arrest, was placed in leg shackles while inside that prisoner transport van. A privately owned video camera recorded a previously undisclosed stop while Gray was in that van. Gray was not wearing a seatbelt while he was transported.
And while we don’t yet know what led to the spinal injury that killed him, we do know this: His death and the lack of answers surrounding it precipitated a day of violence.
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Photo: “I don’t mourn broken windows” (Dren Pozhegu / Flickr Creative Commons)
Solomon Jones is an Essence bestselling author and award-winning columnist. He is the creator and editor of Solomonjones.com and morning host on 900 am WURD radio. Click here to learn more about Solomon.
