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TORONTO – Baltimore police have completed their investigation into the death of Freddie Gray, but a new report suggests Gray sustained a “catastrophic injury” when his head slammed into a bolt inside the back of a police transport van.
A local ABC news affiliate reported that an injury on Gray’s head allegedly matches a bolt inside the police van, citing multiple law enforcement sources and interim findings of the medical examiner’s office reviewing the 25-year-old’s death.
According to the report, the medical examiner found Gray’s fatal injury was caused when he slammed into the back of the police transport van, apparently breaking his neck. However, it’s unclear if Gray’s injury was voluntary or was the result of another action.
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Many questions remain in the mysterious death of Gray, who was arrested on April 12 and died while in police custody. The death of Gray has sparked protests across Baltimore culminating in a riot Monday that saw buildings burned and several officers injured. Thousands of National Guard troops were called in to keep peace in the city.
Some have speculated that Gray’s death was the result of a “rough ride,” where a prisoner is not seat-belted in place and is thrown violently around a vehicle as the driver swerves erratically. Police have previously admitted Gray was not put in a seatbelt after being placed in a police vehicle, which violated standard operating procedure.
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Another theory is that Gray intentionally injured himself while in the police van. The Washington Post reported that another prisoner who was inside the police van, but could not see Gray, said he could hear Gray “banging against the walls” and was “intentionally trying to injure himself.” The Post cites a police document obtained by the newspaper.
One of the attorneys for the Gray family vehemently disagreed with the report.
“We disagree with any implication that Freddie Gray severed his own spinal cord,” Jason Downs told The Post. “We question the accuracy of the police reports we’ve seen thus far, including the police report that says Mr. Gray was arrested without force or incident.”
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Earlier Thursday, Baltimore Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Davis revealed a new detail in the case: The van carrying Gray to the police station made a fourth stop that was captured on a “privately owned camera”
The previously undisclosed stop raises more questions about what the officers involved have told investigators. The six officers involved in the incident have been suspended during the investigation.
Baltimore police have said the report of an internal investigation into Gray’s death is now in the hands of State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, who will review the evidence before moving forward and decide whether to consider charges.
Mosby issued a public statement asking for patience and peace as she reviews the evidence.
“We are not relying solely on their findings but rather the facts that we have gathered and verified. We ask for the public to remain patient and peaceful and to trust the process of the justice system,” her statement said.
*With files from the Associated Press
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