article: Maryland police are conducting a criminal investigation into the death of a black man who lapsed into a coma and died in their custody a week after his arrest at the Gilmor Homes in Baltimore. Freddie Gray, 27, died Sunday after he 'had his spine 80 percent severed at his neck' following his arrest by four bicycle officers for violation that's being kept 'secret' according to his lawyer. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake vowed to ensure the city held 'the right people accountable' after his early-morning death at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Scroll down for video . Freddie Gray, 27, was arrested last Sunday in Baltimore, Maryland, by four officers for an undisclosed violation . In a video of the arrest, it appears the officers dragged Gray to a police van while he screamed out in pain . Gray was placed in restraints in the van and then an ambulance was called to the police station 30 minutes later . Gray's stepfather, Richard Shipley, confirmed the death of his stepson, the Baltimore Sun reported. Shipley said: 'He's gone. What else is there to say?' A timeline released earlier in the week by police said Gray was taken by a prisoner transport van from the 'crime' scene to the Western District station shortly before 9am last Sunday. While he was in the van, Gray was put in additional restrains, according to CBS Baltimore. Thirty minutes after he was put in restraints, an ambulance was called to the police station to take Gray to the hospital. Gray suffered a broken vertebra and an injured voice box, according to his family. Civilian video showed him being loaded into the van, but did not show the entire encounter. During the video, a woman said: 'That boy's legs look broke. 'His legs [look] broke and y'all dragging him like that.' The race of the officers involved could not immediately be confirmed and they have been placed on leave. The alleged violation that led to Gray's arrest has not been disclosed. Gray died on Sunday morning at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, likely from spinal injuries . Justice League NYC organized a rally Saturday night at the Western District station where Gray was taken . An attorney retained by Gray's family, William 'Billy' Murphy, described the circumstances leading up to the young man's death: 'On last Sunday morning at about 8am, the police chased Freddie Gray, a 27-year-old healthy man, without any evidence he had committed a crime. 'His take-down and arrest without probable cause occurred under a police video camera, which taped everything including the police dragging and throwing Freddie into a police vehicle while he screamed in pain. 'While in police custody, his spine was 80 per cent severed at his neck. 'He lapsed into a coma, died, was resuscitated, stayed in a coma and on Monday, underwent extensive surgery at Shock Trauma to save his life. 'He clung to life for seven days and died today at approximately 7am. 'We believe the police are keeping the circumstances of Freddie's death secret until they develop a version of events that will absolve them of all responsibility. 'However, his family and the citizens of Baltimore deserve to know the real truth; and we will not stop until we get justice for Freddie.' Anyone who witnessed Gray's arrest or has video of the incident is being asked aid in the investigation . March: Citizens and groups such as the Justice League of NYC took to the streets to protest following the death of Gray on Sunday . Fight for justice: Marchers slowed traffic as they held placards with messages including 'Respect Human Rights' following the death of Gray yesterday . Taking a stand: Peaceful demonstrators walk with their hands on their heads yesterday in protest over the death of Gray who slipped into a coma and died a week after his arrest by police . Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake vowed to ensure that her city held 'the right people accountable' Deputy Commissioner Jerry Rodriguez said the criminal investigation was underway. He said: 'It's a two-part investigation. 'One is a criminal case, for Mr Gray and also the officers. 'We always have that component in there to determine whether there is criminal culpability.' Rodriguez declined to specify why the officers stopped Gray. 'We had officers in a high-crime area known to have high narcotic incidents,' he said . 'The officers believe that Mr Gray was immediately involved or recently involved in criminal activity and decided to make contact.' Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said she had the same questions as reporters: 'How was Mr. Gray injured? 'Were the proper protocols and procedures actually followed? 'What are the next steps to take from here?' She promised a thorough investigation and 'real answers' for the community. Civilian video showed Gray being loaded in the van, but did not show the entire encounter or how he was hurt . Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said the department would try again to share information with the Grays . Gray's family has declined, so far, to interact with police, according to Police Commissioner Anthony Batts. He said the department would try again this week to share information with them. Batts said: 'Today, on this holy day, a mother has lost her son. 'Freddie Gray passed. My greatest hope and wish and desire is that any time we have an interaction as a police department or a contact, that everyone goes home safe. 'All lives matter. All lives matter in this city.' The department, an independent review board and the Baltimore prosecutor's office will investigate the case. The Justice League NYC, which organized a rally Saturday night at the station where Gray was taken, held another protest Sunday afternoon at the site. The Reverend Jamal Harrison Bryant of the Empowerment Temple said at Saturday's protest: 'What happened to Freddie was unnecessary and uncalled for. 'All of those police officers involved need to be held accountable and answer for what they did and need to be terminated from their positions.' The first event was scheduled as the league's 'March2Justice' reached Baltimore on its way to a rally Tuesday in Washington. The group said in a statement: 'Enough is enough! Police brutality must end!' Gray's death comes amid a national debate about the deaths of black men at the hands of police. Anyone who witnessed his arrest or has video of the incident is being asked to call police.
highlights: Freddie Gray, 27, died Sunday a week after his arrest at the Gilmor Homes .
  Four officers arrested him for a violation that has not been disclosed .
  Was dragged during the arrest and witness said his legs 'looked broke'
  He was loaded into a transport van and put in restraints on way to station .
  30 minutes later ambulance was called to station to take him to the hospital .
  Died, was resuscitated, stayed in coma and underwent extensive surgery .
  Justice League NYC organized rallies at station where Gray was taken .
  Baltimore mayor has promised thorough investigation and 'real' answers .
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