Baltimore state’s attorney Marilyn Mosby announced Friday that Freddie Gray’s death has been ruled a homicide.
The six officers involved in Mr. Gray’s arrest and subsequent death while in custody were slapped with multiple charges, including second-degree murder, manslaughter and misconduct.
Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., the driver of the driver of police wagon inside which Mr. Gray suffered his mortal injury, was also charged with second-degree murder.
The six officers were in custody by Friday afternoon.
“No one is above the law,” Ms. Mosby said.
She was also quick to note the charges were “not an indictment on the entire force.”
SEE ALSO: Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore prosecutor in Freddie Gray case, from a family of cops
At some point while he was in custody, Mr. Gray suffered a mysterious spinal injury and died a week later.
Ms. Mosby says the officers failed to get Gray medical help even though he requested it repeatedly after he was arrested April 12.
Ms. Mosby also determined Mr. Gray’s arrest by Baltimore police was unwarranted.
The police union asked the state’s attorney to appoint a special independent prosecutor for the case.
“As tragic as this situation is, none of the officers involved are responsible for the death of Mr. Gray,” Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 President Gene Ryan wrote to Ms. Mosby. “To the contrary, at all times, each of the officers diligently balanced their obligations to protect Mr. Gray and discharge their duties to protect the public.”
Many Balitmoreans who protested in the wake of Mr. Gray’s death, took to city streets to express approval for Ms. Mosby’s actions.
SEE ALSO: Caesar Goodson Jr. charged with second-degree murder in Freddie Gray’s death
At the corner of North and Pennsylvania avenues, where the worst of the rioting took place Monday after Gray’s funeral, the mood was far different than it had been the rest of the week.
Drivers honked their horns. As buses stopped in front of the subway station, whoops and hollers came from inside the vehicle as the doors opened.
But there was no large gathering at the intersection immediately after the announcement. Still, nearly 100 police in riot gear were deployed to the intersection.
Ciara Ford of Baltimore expressed surprise at the decision to prosecute.
“I’m ecstatic,” she said. “I hope this can restore some peace.”
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
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