Baltimore police admit Freddie Gray needed medical care before arrest
BALTIMORE – In the clearest acknowledgement of failure yet, Baltimore police said Friday that Freddie Gray should have received medical attention at the spot where he was arrested – before he was put inside a police van.
Officers missed “multiple” opportunities to give him medical attention and once inside the van, Gray should’ve been buckled into a seat belt. The department’s acknowledgement came at a news conference after a week of intense scrutiny and near-daily demonstrations over what protesters say is police mistreatment of blacks in Baltimore and throughout the country.
Gray was taken into custody April 12 and at some point – either during his arrest or inside the van – he suffered a mysterious spinal injury. Authorities have not explained how or when it occurred. Six officers have been suspended with pay.
Commissioner Anthony Batts said it was possible Gray was injured before the van ride, but also possible he suffered in a “rough ride” – where officers hit the brakes and take sharp turns to injure suspects in the back of vans.
Gray, who is black, was arrested after he made eye contact with officers and ran away, police said. Officers held him down, handcuffed him and loaded him into a police van. While inside, he became irate and leg cuffs were put on him, police have said.
Gray was not buckled in, a violation of the police department’s policy.
Gray asked for medical help several times, and after a 30-minute ride that included three stops, paramedics were called.
“We know he was not buckled in the transportation wagon as he should have been. There’s no excuse for that, period,” Batts said. “We know our police employees failed to give him medical attention in a timely manner multiple times.”
Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Davis said Friday that Gray should have received medical attention at the spot of his arrest. Bystander video shows Gray screaming as officers carried him to the van, his legs appearing limp.
Batts said the investigation is being refined and the picture is getting “sharper and sharper.” He did not elaborate.
As for some calls for his resignation, he said: “That’s not going to happen.”
Protesters promised their biggest march today, when they would try to “shut down” the city.
The president of a black lawyers’ group predicted thousands of people would turn out, when good weather is forecast and the Baltimore Orioles host the Boston Red Sox.
“Things will change on Saturday, and the struggle will be amplified,” said Malik Shabazz of Black Lawyers for Justice.