Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Baltimore, angry over the death of another black man during an incident with police officers. This time, the chants were for Freddie Gray, who suffered a spinal injury while in police custody.
The demonstration turned into shoving as protestors and police got into fights as demonstrators started throwing objects. Five police cars were damaged by people who jumped on the vehicles and deliberately smashed the windows, according to CNN. Twelve people were arrested.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said 95 percent of the protesters were peaceful, but she was disappointed in the "small group of agitators." "We continue to have a few isolated pockets of individuals causing disturbances," the police department Tweeted. "We are deploying resources to keep everyone safe."
The Baltimore PD is also keeping the public informed via YouTube:
Gray's twin sister, Fredericka, made a statement, according to CNN: "My family wants to say, 'Can y'all please, please stop the violence? Freddie Gray would not want this.' Freddie's father and mother do not want any violence. Violence does not get justice."
Gray was a 25-year-old Baltimore man that suffered a spinal injury at some point during his time in police custody on April 12. According to CNN, Gray's family said his voice box was crushed and his neck was snapped before he slipped into a coma. Gray died a week later and the city has been rife with unrest at how many believe the police mishandled the situation.
According to CNN, the police department admitted on Friday that Gray should have received medical attention at the scene. Instead, the paddy wagon stopped three times on the way to booking. When the van arrived at the Western District, an ambulance was called.
At some point after he was detained, he suffered a severe spinal cord injury. His family said his voice box was crushed and his neck snapped before he slipped into a coma and died.
A preliminary autopsy has been performed, but a full report could take 30 to 45 days.
