ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (AP/WAVY) — A funeral will be held next week for Andrew Brown Jr., a Black man shot and killed by Pasquotank County deputies, with the Rev. Al Sharpton delivering the eulogy.
Lawyers for Brown’s family said that the funeral will be held Monday in Elizabeth City.
Two viewings are also slated for Sunday, May 2.
Brown was shot and killed last week by Pasquotank County deputies serving drug-related search and arrest warrants at a Perry Street home.
Relative Lee Ferebee said Brown’s family asked Sharpton to deliver the eulogy because they felt the civil rights leader would honor his legacy.
Protesters have taken to the streets for days, demonstrating and demanding authorities release body camera footage of the shooting. A judge blocked the release to the public for at least 30 days this week, but allowed the family to view footage within 10 days.
The FBI announced Tuesday that it’s launching a federal civil rights investigation into the case.
An FBI spokesperson released a statement via email Tuesday: “Agents will work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice to determine whether federal laws were violated. As this is an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further.”
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s office also released a statement Tuesday calling for a special prosecutor to handle all matters related to the shooting.
“This would help assure the community and Mr. Brown’s family that a decision on pursuing criminal charges is conducted without bias,” Cooper said in the statement.
Cooper said bringing in a special prosecutor aligns with a recommended change in law from the Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice.
“… I believe the law should be changed to help ensure it,” Cooper said.
So far, only the family has been able to view a 20-second clip of body camera footage. They have expressed frustration that they only saw a redacted version from one deputy’s body camera.
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