Freddie Gray: Six police officers charged after young black man dies in US police custody
A US police officer has been charged with murder over the death of a young black man in Baltimore while in police custody.
Freddie Gray died in hospital after sustaining a neck injury while in a police van after officers arrested him on April 12.
Prosecutors allege that officers cuffed Mr Gray's hands behind his back and shackled his legs but did not secure him with a seatbelt while the van was moving.
His case is the latest in a string deaths involving young black man in police custody, sparking angry protests across America.
Baltimore’s chief prosecutor this evening filed criminal charges against six officers, after officials earlier ruled Mr Gray’s death was a homicide.
The officer who drove the police vehicle in which Mr Gray was taken after his arrest, Caesar Goodson, 45, was charged with second-degree murder.
I think justice has been served
Mr Goodson faces more than 30 years in prison if convicted.
A further five officers were arrested and face charges including involuntary manslaughter, assault and misconduct.
All have been suspended without pay.
Residents shouted with joy, hugged and honked car horns as the news filtered through to communities, which have been hit by rioting in recent days.
"I think justice has been served," said 21-year-old Renay Battle.
"Now they've charged the officers, I feel as though Baltimore is going to come back together and everything is going to come back to normal."
But others believe the problem of police brutality still exists.
"Justice still hasn't prevailed yet," said community college student Earl Tillman, 46, standing in front of Baltimore City Hall.
"We have to get hold of this problem. America does. This is a much bigger issue than Baltimore."