The Sunday morning death of a 27-year-old man arrested by Baltimore police sparked street protests as residents sought more answers. Among these questions that remain unanswered are: what caused the injury of Freddie Gray and why did the cops stop him?

William Murphy Jr., the family lawyer, said that Gray died with a severed spine. The University of Maryland Medical Center confirmed Gray's death but did not explain the cause, NBC reports.

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Murphy believes there is a cover-up. He said that Gray did not have any ailments and did not commit any crime when he was dragged and thrown into a police car.

The lawyer insisted that Gray's apprehension was without probable cause. He said the police have a video file of the brutal arrest, including Gray screaming in pain as police held him by his feet.

He said Gray slipped into coma, became medically dead but was revived, although he still was in coma. Finally, to save the suspect's life, he said that Gray underwent extensive surgery at Shock Trauma.

"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," CNN quotes Murphy.

Baltimore Police Department Capt. Eric Kowalczyk said the team that arrested Gray was in the area notorious for violent crime and drug trade. He said Gray ran away when the cops approached him.

The incident report on Gray's case and the names of the cops involved have not been released, although Kowalczyk said the offices involved have been moved to desk work.

The Baltimore street protest on Sunday adds to the growing push for more reforms in the way police departments arrest and detain suspects in the light of perceived unnecessary deaths at the time the arrest was made or while under police custody.

People's Power Assembly, a Baltimore activist group, and Justice League NYC joined efforts to seek an independent probe of Freddie Gray's death.

TagsFreddie Gray, Baltimore, police shooting, protests, anti-police sentiment