Freddie Gray's Funeral Expected to Draw Thousands of Attendees

The investigation into the events surrounding his death continues.

Image via WBAL

The funeral service will be held today for the man who died of severe spinal injuries one week after his arrest at the hands of Baltimore police earlier this month, and thousands of attendees are expected. 

According to the Associated Press, the service for Freddie Gray, 25, is expected to begin at 11 a.m. at New Shiloh Baptist Church


A small group of mourners was lined up about two hours ahead of the funeral. As they began filing into the church, the white casket with Gray's body was opened, flanked by floral arrangements. A rope was placed in front of the casket to prevent people from getting too close. One person used a cellphone to take a photo of the body.


Placed atop Gray's body was a white pillow with a screened picture of him. A projector aimed at two screens on the walls showed the words Black Lives Matter & All Lives Matter.

Gray was arrested on April 12 after police found a knife in his pocket. He passed away on April 19, and a lawyer representing his family says his spine was 80 percent severed at the neck. Another lawyer representing one of the officers involved with his arrest says that, while Gray was handcuffed and his legs were in irons, his seatbelt was not fastened during the ride to the police station. Furthermore, Baltimore police have admitted that he should've received medical attention prior to the journey. 

On Saturday, about 1,200 demonstrators marched through Baltimore to protest Gray's death. A smaller group was reportedly involved in confrontations with police, resulting in 34 arrests. 

In addition to the Baltimore Police Department and the State's Attorney's office investigating the circumstances surrounding Gray's death, the Department of Justice will also look into the matter. 

[via Associated Press]

Latest in Pop Culture