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Baltimore Mayor ‘Angry’ About Lack of Answers in Man’s Death After Arrest

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Updated: | Originally published: ;

Baltimore has suspended six police officers with pay as authorities said Monday they would continue to investigate a man’s death following a spinal injury he apparently sustained while in custody.

Officials held a news conference to update a frustrated community that is demanding answers to what they perceive as another instance of excessive police force. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said she understands the community’s concerns and shares their frustrations.

“I’m angry that we’re here again, that we have had to tell another mother that their child is dead,” Rawlings-Blake said. “I’m frustrated not only that we’re here, but that we don’t have all the answers.”

The news conference comes one day after the death of Freddie Gray, who was fatally injured after an arrest on April 12. Gray was stopped after running away from an area where he saw a police presence, and a pocket knife was found in his pants pocket, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Gray had an injured spinal cord, but officials said an autopsy has not revealed evidence of how the physical trauma occurred. On Sunday, a lawyer for Gray’s family said in a statement that Gray had fallen into a coma after his spine was 80% “severed at his neck.”

Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said that an independent board would review the case after the investigation is concluded by May 1.

Witness Protests in Baltimore Over the Death of Freddie Gray

Protesters March Over Death Of Freddie Gray
Demonstrators put their fists in the air during a protest against police brutality and the death of Freddie Gray outside the Baltimore Police Western District station in the Sandtown neighborhood of Baltimore on April 22, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
Protesters March Over Death Of Freddie Gray
Ten-year-old Robert Dunn uses a megaphone to address hundreds of demonstrators during a protest against police brutality and the death of Freddie Gray outside the Baltimore Police Western District station in Baltimore on April 22, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
Protesters March Over Death Of Freddie Gray
Protesters argue with Baltimore Police officers outside the Western District police station in Baltimore on April 22, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
Protesters March Over Death Of Freddie Gray
Demonstrators and police officers wrestle over a metal barricade outside the Baltimore Police Western District station in Baltimore on April 22, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
Edward Mazyck and hundreds of other protesters march through Baltimore over the death of Freddie Gray, who died after suffering a severe spinal cord injury in police custody.
Edward Mazyck joins hundreds of other protesters marching through Baltimore on April 21, 2015.Matt Roth—The New York Times/Redux
Demonstrators pretend to be arrested in front of the Baltimore Police Department Western District station to protest against the death in police custody of Freddie Gray in Baltimore
Demonstrators pretend to be arrested in front of the Baltimore Police Department Western District station to protest against the death in police custody of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 23, 2015.Sait Serkan Gurbuz—Reuters
Protesters March Over Death Of Freddie Gray
Baltimore Police officers keep demonstrators back while standing guard outside the Western District station in Baltimore on April 22, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
Suspect Dies Baltimore
A child watches protesters march for Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 22, 2015.Patrick Semansky—AP
Protesters Hold Vigil And March Over Death Of Freddie Gray After Police Arrest
Protestors walk toward Baltimore Police Department's Western District police station during a march and vigil over the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 21, 2015.Drew Angerer—Getty Images
Protesters Hold Vigil And March Over Death Of Freddie Gray After Police Arrest
Children riding bikes look on as protesters march on Laurens Street in Baltimore on April 21, 2015.Drew Angerer—Getty Images
Melvin T. Russell
A marcher embraces Baltimore Police Lt. Col. Melvin T. Russell, in front of the department's Western District police station in Baltimore on April 22, 2015.Alex Brandon—AP
Protesters Hold Vigil And March Over Death Of Freddie Gray After Police Arrest
Protestors participate in a vigil for Freddie Gray down the street from the Baltimore Police Department's Western District police station in Baltimore on April 21, 2015.Drew Angerer—Getty Images
Protesters Hold Vigil And March Over Death Of Freddie Gray After Police Arrest
Protestors participate in a vigil for Freddie Gray down the street from the Baltimore Police Department's Western District police station in Baltimore on April 21, 2015.Drew Angerer—Getty Images
USA - Protesters rally over death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore
A protester holds a sign during a rally for Freddie Gray outside Baltimore Police Department Western District station in Baltimore on April 22, 2015.Sait Serkan Gurbuz—Corbis
USA - Protesters rally over death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore
A protester wearing a Baltimore Ravens cap covers his face during a rally for Freddie Gray outside Baltimore Police Department Western District station in Baltimore on April 22, 2015. Sait Serkan Gurbuz—Corbis
Demonstrators march to City Hall to protest against the death of Freddie Gray in police custody, in Baltimore on April 25, 2015.
Demonstrators march to City Hall to protest against the death of Freddie Gray in police custody, in Baltimore on April 25, 2015. Sait Serkan Gurbuz—Reuters
A demonstrator confronts police near Camden Yards during a protest in Baltimore on April 25, 2015.
A demonstrator confronts police near Camden Yards during a protest in Baltimore on April 25, 2015. Sait Serkan Gurbuz—Reuters
Protesters attack Baltimore police cars and suspected police cars during a demonstration against police brutality in downtown Baltimore on April 25, 2015.
Protesters attack Baltimore police cars and suspected police cars during a demonstration against police brutality in downtown Baltimore on April 25, 2015.Jay Mallin—Zuma Press
Law enforcement officers detain a demonstrator on Gilmore Avenue near Baltimore Police Department Western District during a protest against the death of Freddie Gray in police custody, in Baltimore on April 25, 2015.
Law enforcement officers detain a demonstrator on Gilmore Avenue near Baltimore Police Department Western District during a protest against the death of Freddie Gray in police custody, in Baltimore on April 25, 2015.Sait Serkan Gurbuz—Reuters
A demonstrator confronts law enforcement officers near Baltimore Police Department Western District in Baltimore on April 25, 2015.
A demonstrator confronts law enforcement officers near Baltimore Police Department Western District in Baltimore on April 25, 2015.Sait Serkan Gurbuz—Reuters
Law enforcement officers stand guard near Baltimore Police Department Western District in Baltimore on April 25, 2015.
Law enforcement officers stand guard near Baltimore Police Department Western District in Baltimore on April 25, 2015.Sait Serkan Gurbuz—Reuters
A protestor lays in the middle of a street during a march for Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 25, 2015.
A protestor lays in the middle of a street during a march for Freddie Gray in Baltimore on April 25, 2015.Patrick Semansky—AP

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