The Baltimore Police Department has suspended six officers involved in the death of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old black man who died on Sunday one week after his arrest.

Jerry Rodriguez, the city's deputy police commissioner, announced the suspension at a press conference on Monday. In the same media event, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake promised residents of Baltimore, who have been holding anti-police demonstrations, "all the information it deserves."

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Rodriguez claims no officer used force against Gray. While admitting he did not know what exactly happened to Gray, Rodriguez said the victim was able to talk, but upset, when he was placed inside the police van.

However, Gray was breathless and speechless when he was taken out of the police vehicle, MSNBC reports.

The lawyer of Gray is accusing the Baltimore Police Department of a cover up. He pointed out that Gray died on Sunday morning with his spinal cord 80 percent severed and his neck broken, based on the autopsy done on Monday.

Prior to that, Gray had surgery at Shock Trauma which the lawyer believes has something to do with the alleged manhandling of the victim during his arrest that he screamed in pain when the officers held him by his feet to place leg irons.

However, according to documents filed by the city police with the court, Gray immediately ran when he saw officers. And when apprehended and frisked, the cops allegedly found a switchblade knife in the pocket of his pants, according to Batimore Sun.

The mayor emphasized that possession of a knife is not necessarily a criminal offense, and not necessarily a probable cause.

In the filing with the District Court, officer Garrett Miller wrote that they did not use force in arresting Gray which goes against the statement of the Gray lawyer that the victim was hurt by the arresting team. However, while being transported to the jail, Miller said that Gray had a medical emergency, so they brought him to Shock Trauma for treatment.

Rawling-Blake demanded to know why the cops ran after Freddie Gray and if they followed proper procedures. She also sought the steps to be taken to improve accountability of officers.

TagsFreddie Gray, Baltimore, Baltimore cops, police brutality, anti-police sentiment