More Details Emerge in Arrest of Freddie Gray

Court documents reportedly show that Freddie Gray, the Baltimore man who died a week after being taken into police custody, was arrested for having a switchblade.

In the city of Baltimore, it is illegal to carry, possess or sell switchblade knives, punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or one year in jail.

Police said that Gray, 25, “fled unprovoked upon noticing police presence” on Sunday, April 12, and when officers stopped him, they found he had a switchblade clipped inside the front of his pants pocket, according to charging documents obtained by The Baltimore Sun.

Police had been patrolling an area ”known for violent crime and drug sales” and they “went to make an encounter with Mr. Gray,” Baltimore Police Capt. Eric Kowalczyk told CNN.

Officers approached Gray on North Avenue at Mount Street at 8:39 a.m. and chased him two blocks away, to the 1700 block of Presbury Street, where he was arrested at 8:40 a.m., WBAL reported.

It is not clear what probable cause police had for approaching and chasing Gray.

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The arrest occurred “without force or incident,” according to charging documents obtained by The Baltimore Sun.

Somehow during the course of Gray’s detainment, approximately 80 percent of his spine was severed and he “clung to life” in a coma at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center until passing away at 7 a.m. on Sunday, April 19, according to William Murphy Jr., the family’s lawyer.

After Gray was detained and dragged into a prisoner van, police stopped the vehicle and took him out to put him in additional restraints before leaving for the precinct at 8:54 a.m., according to WBAL.

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At 9:24 a.m., police called an ambulance to take Gray from the western precinct to the hospital, WBAL reported.

The western precinct is located approximately 2 minutes from the site of the arrest.

During his transport to the precinct, Gray “suffered a medical emergency and was immediately transported to Shock Trauma via medic,” according to court documents obtained by The Sun.

The officers involved in the arrest were placed on administrative assignment, a routine procedure, police said.

In addition, the department is investigating to determine whether the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office will file charges.

Marilyn Mosby, the Baltimore state’s attorney, said her office was putting all of its resources toward the investigation into Gray’s death.

“While I cannot discuss the details in the death of Freddie Gray due to the ongoing investigation,” Mosby said in a statement Monday, “I can assure the public that my office has dedicated all its existing resources to independently investigate this matter to determine whether criminal charges will be brought.”

Protesters held demonstrations Saturday, Sunday and Monday calling for justice for Freddie Gray.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said officials were ”moving very swiftly to complete this investigation as soon as possible,” vowing to “ensure that we hold the right people responsible,” according to a report from WJZ.

Anyone with information about the arrest and death of Freddie Gray may contact the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office at 443-984-6000 or may file a report online.

Screenshot of Freddie Gray in the hospital from WBAL/YouTube.

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