WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earlier on Monday, Baltimore police officer Edward Nero was acquitted on all charges stemming from his role in the 2015 arrested of the 25-year old African-American Freddie Gray.
"In the case of any disturbance in the city [of Baltimore], we are prepared to respond," Rawlings-Blake stated. "We will protect our neighborhoods, our businesses and the people of our city."
Gray’s death a week after his arrest in April 2015 sparked a series of protests in Baltimore, some of which turned violent and were met by a heavy police response.
Baltimore Judge Barry Williams found that Nero was not directly involved in Gray’s detention and acquitted him of misdemeanor assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office.
Rawlings-Blake said that Nero will face administrative review by the Baltimore Police Department.
