Freddie Gray: Thousands protest in Baltimore over latest black death in police custody

Thousands of protesters turned out in Maryland last night, in protest at what they see as the latest instance of police brutality in the USA.

The protests were inspired by the death of 25-year-old black man Freddie Gray, who died of a severe spinal injury a week after being arrested by Baltimore police - further stoking an already intense national conversation about police treatment of African Americans.

An estimated 2,000 people marched to City Hall to demand answers for Gray's unexplained death in custody.

The demonstration was mostly peaceful, though later on a handful of demonstrators smashed police car windows and shopfronts. 12 arrests were made, of people ignoring orders to displace, according to police

Protest organizer Timothy Efunlade Fitts said, "A lot times they say things in such a way to appease the people but don't give the necessary results. We want a transparent investigation, we want a quick investigation."

Gray's arrest, for carrying a flick-knife, was captured on video by bystanders, but authorities have not fully explained how Gray received his fatal injuries.

Yesterday, Baltimore's deputy police commissioner Kevin Davis admitted that Gray should have received medical attention on the spot, and that he should not have been put inside the van without a seatbelt.

The city is already under federal investigation for a series of other cases of alleged police brutality.