Funeral of Alton Sterling
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BATON ROUGE - A large number of family and friends of a man killed during a BRPD officer-involved shooting spent midday Friday at the man's funeral despite mid-morning storms.
Hearse just arrived at F. G. Clark Activity Center at Southern for #AltonSterling funeral @WBRZ pic.twitter.com/J08nPQviu1
— Michael Vinsanau (@MVinsanau) July 15, 2016
Many were leaving visitation, now stopped because of the rain @WBRZ pic.twitter.com/6faMYhBxEP
— Michael Vinsanau (@MVinsanau) July 15, 2016
Numerous speakers such as Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Sterling's son Cameron euglogized 37-year-old Alton Sterling.
Sharpton said that he has been to too many services like Sterling's.
"They shoot a man selling CD's in front of a store. We've got to stop going to funeral from funeral and America needs to deal with wrong is wrong," Sharpton said.
Jackson said that Sterling's death, that was captured on video, turned him into a symbol of injustice.
"We can not love Alton as martyr and not embrace him as a martyr. We apologize Alton, we could have done better when you were alive," Jackson said.
However, it was Sterling's family minister who left the ending message.
"Stopped by to tell Alton, 'Good night son, your night season is over,'" Bishop J. L. Decuir said.
A private viewing started at 8 a.m. The funeral was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the F.G. Clark Center on Southern University's campus, the same site as the viewing. A private burial with only the family in attendance was held after the service.
The services
The Prelude by the funeral musician
Trending News
Processional features minister & family
Devotional period lead by Pastor Raymond Jetson
featuring Psalm 90:1-9 from the Old Testament; and John 14:1-6 from the New Testament
Prayer lead by Elder Tabatha Jackson
Prayer Chant Inspirational Song by Sis. Chaundra Knighten
Master of Ceremony is Minister Gary Chambers
Inspirational Song performed by Elder Timothy Britten
Expressions to feature Metro Council Woman Chauna Banks, U.S. Congressman Cedric Richmond Poem read by Little Miss Jezza’Ray Hudson
Obituary & Acknowledgments lead by Sister Sateria Tate-Alexander
Inspirational Song performed by the choir
Words of Comfort from Pastor Yvonne Dunn, Pastor Hattie T. Myles, Al Sharpton
Solo performance by BET Sunday Best Winner Amber Bullock
Eulogy by Bishop J. L. Decuir
Final Viewing & Closing Prayer Recessional
The shooting of 37-year-old Alton Sterling outside of a North Foster Drive convenience store has sparked outrage and protest in the days after the incident. Louisiana State Police and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office handled security during the funeral.