Autopsy: Violent Van Ride Likely Killed Freddie Gray

The Baltimore Sun has obtained a copy of Freddie Gray's autopsy report, and it shows that he most likely died as a result of his police van ride. Specifically, the medical examiner found that Gray suffered one "high-energy injury," probably when the van decelerated suddenly. The report faults officers for "acts of omission"—Gray wasn't belted in, but both his wrists and ankles were shackled, a combination that put him "at risk for an unsupported fall during acceleration or deceleration of the van." Six officers face charges, including the van driver.

The medical examiner recounts that the van made multiple stops, with details on the fourth one: "The assisting officer opened the doors and observed Mr. Gray lying belly down on the floor with his head facing the cabin compartment, and reportedly he was asking for help, saying he couldn't breathe, couldn't get up, and needed a medic," the report says. "The officer assisted Mr. Gray to the bench and the van continued on its way." At the fifth stop, another officer helped check on Gray, and he was largely unresponsive. Click for the Sun story. (More Freddie Gray stories.)