Five of the six police officers involved in the arrest of a man in Baltimore who later died in police custody this week have voluntarily given statements to investigators, Baltimore police said Wednesday.
Freddie Gray, 25, died Sunday of what his family’s attorney said was a severed spine that allegedly occurred after he was arrested on a weapons charge in Baltimore on April 12. The Department of Justice on Tuesday opened an investigation into Gray’s arrest and death.
The arrest was recorded on cellphone video, which shows Gray being pinned to the ground and then bundled into a police van while seemingly not being able to fully use his legs. He is heard screaming in pain on the video.
Police said Wednesday that there was a second person in the van that Gray was placed in, and he is considered a witness whose identity will be protected as the department investigates what happened.
Protests continued in Baltimore Wednesday, with a march to City Hall and crowds blocking streets. The police department expects to turn over its investigation to the state’s attorney’s office for review on May 1.
IN-DEPTH
- Feds Open Investigation Into Death of Freddie Gray
- Hundreds Protest Over Death of Man in Police Custody
- Cops: No Force Used on Man Who Died After Spine Severed
