12:10 p.m.
Baltimore police say the department believes three notoriously violent gangs are now working together to “take out” law enforcement officers.
In a statement Monday, the department called it a “credible threat” and said members of the Black Guerilla Family, the Bloods and the Crips have formed a partnership against the police.
The department warned other law enforcement agencies to “take appropriate precautions.”
The police statement came as mourners gathered for the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died of a mysterious spinal injury while in police custody.
Police spokesman Capt. Eric Kowalczyk would not say whether the threat is related to the death of Gray. Kowalczyk said the threat announcement has been circulated to law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Earlier this year, Baltimore police said the Black Guerilla Family sent a man into the Northeastern District station house with marijuana, cocaine and a loaded gun to test the station’s security.
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12 p.m.
The daughter of Eric Garner, who died of a chokehold in the custody of New York City police, is at the funeral of Freddie Gray.
Gray suffered critical spinal injuries while he was in Baltimore police custody.
Erica Garner, 24, says she came Monday because watching the video of Gray crying out when he was arrested reminded her of the crying and agony that her father went through.
“My father was yelling out, ‘I can’t breathe and (Gray) was yelling out – he didn’t have any words but he was just hurt,” she said.
She says she hasn’t met Gray’s family, but would tell them: “I feel your pain. I know what you’re going through. Stay strong and continue to fight.”
Garner died last July after police placed him in a chokehold on a Staten Island street.
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11:45 a.m.
The funeral for Freddie Gray has started with songs and prayer.
Gray died after suffering a critical spinal injury while he was in police custody. His death has prompted marches and rallies for the more than a week.
The church, which has a capacity of 2,500, is full of mourners.
Just before the start of the service, members of the Gray family gathered in front of the casket for a second time. Gloria Darden, Gray’s mother, sat down, and someone handed her a box of tissues.
The casket is closed and a wreath of white roses is on top of it.
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11:15 a.m.
Mourners are filing into New Shiloh Baptist Church to view the body of Freddie Gray, who suffered a critical spinal injury while in Baltimore police custody.
The single-file line of people passing by Gray’s body is now two-wide. One man attempted to touch Gray, but a woman grabbed his hand and pulled it away.
A few sobs can be heard in the church, which is nearly filled to its 2,500-person capacity.
The church choir, accompanied by an organ, electric piano, guitar and drums has begun singing and playing. Some of the audience is clapping, joining in the singing, and shouting in response.
Gray died April 19, a week after his arrest. Police are investigating his death.
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10:50 a.m.
A U.S. diplomat opened her speech on Iranian nuclear negotiations talking about how she grew up going to civil rights marches and says her father once helped baseball star Frank Robinson find a home in an all-white neighborhood of Baltimore.
The recent case of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died after sustaining serious injuries while in the custody of Baltimore police, has intensified a national debate over police treatment of African-Americans.
Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman spoke Monday at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism conference on equality and civil rights in Washington.
She says that years ago, her father went house to house to convince homeowners in Baltimore not to flee, saying that Robinson shared their desire for good schools and a safe neighborhood.
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10:30 a.m.
Members of Freddie Gray’s family are among the last group of mourners filing into the church before the man’s funeral in Baltimore.
A woman from the family group who was first to reach the casket on Monday sobbed and dropped to her knees. She straightened out the tie on Gray’s body before she was led to the front-row pew. Other mourners approached her to offer condolences through handshakes and hugs. Local media outlets identified the woman as Gray’s mother, Gloria Darden.
Another woman followed, and she was led away to a pew as she began crying.
Gray died after suffering serious spinal injuries while in the custody of Baltimore police. Thousands are expected at his funeral. About a half-hour before the service was scheduled to begin, the church was about half full, and announcements were made asking mourners to file past the casket to accommodate the people lining up outside.
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9:45 a.m.
More mourners are filing into the sanctuary for the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died after suffering serious spinal injuries while in the custody of Baltimore police.
Shortly after the casket was opened Monday morning, people began to pour in to view Gray’s body New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore. A rope was placed in front of the casket to prevent mourners from getting too close.
One of the early mourners used a cellphone to take a picture of Gray’s body.
Services were scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Thousands of people are expected. A cemetery burial is to follow the funeral.
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9:30 a.m.
Officials have opened the white casket bearing the body of Freddie Gray, who died after suffering serious spinal injuries while in the custody of Baltimore police, at his funeral.
The casket, flanked by eight floral arrangements on the floor, is in front of the pulpit for Monday’s services at New Shiloh Baptist Church. A wreath sits on top of the casket lid.
Placed atop Gray’s body is a white pillow with a screened picture of Gray.
A handful of people were inside the church sanctuary. Part of a balcony has been designated for media.
A projector aimed at two screens on the walls beside the pulpit show the words “Black Lives Matter & All Lives Matter” in red lettering.