10 years later: Leaders speak on death of Freddie Gray and Baltimore’s struggle for change 

From Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer

It’s been 10 years since 25-year-old Freddie Gray was arrested on April 12 by Baltimore police and suffered a fatal spinal cord injury while in custody. His April 19, 2015 death cast a national spotlight on Baltimore, sparking citywide protests.  On the day of his funeral, April 27, riots broke out. The movement fueled a growing call for police accountability. 

Today, faith and community leaders are still grappling with the tragedy and what’s changed— and what hasn’t— in Baltimore since Gray’s life ended shortly after coming into contact with Baltimore police officers.

Pastor Harold Carter Jr., of New Shiloh Baptist Church, recalled hearing about the “rough ride” Gray was subjected to. Though Gray was handcuffed and shackled, the police officers who arrested him did not secure him with a seatbelt, a violation of the Baltimore Police Department’s (BPD) policy.

Carter remembers hearing that some BPD members had a pattern of engaging in this behavior. 

“There was a certain group of police officers who, when they picked up people, put them in the back of the paddy wagon. Even though they were restrained, they were not seat-belted,” said Carter. “They were driven through the city, and there were certain curves where they got slammed around.” 

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