Rayshard Brooks, a Black man who was shot and killed by an Atlanta police officer, will have a funeral service at Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once preached.
What We Know:
- The private service will be held today, June 23 at 1 p.m. ET more than a week after he was killed.
- Rev. Bernice A. King, Dr. King’s daughter will speak at his funeral and the senior pastor at the church and Democratic candidate for the US Senate, Rev. Raphael G. Warnock will deliver the eulogy. Warnock says, “Ebenezer is a parish for all people, a sanctuary for those who suffer. Rayshard was not a member of our church but he, and his loved ones, are a part of our family. We seek to embrace them, comfort them and walk beside them in the days ahead.”
- According to Brooks’ family attorney, Chris Stewart, Tyler Perry has offered today for the funeral arrangements. Smokie Norful, Tamela Mann, and Kurt Carr will perform at the funeral service; they are all well known Gospel singers.
- Brooks was shot and killed on June 12 at a Wendy’s when an officer responded to a call that he was asleep in his car in the drive-through lane. He failed a sobriety test and an altercation broke out when officers tried to handcuff him. A video of the incident shows Brooks getting a hold of one of the officers’ tasers and tried striking them, but he was shot twice in the back.
- Brooks’ death came two weeks after the killing of George Floyd which sparked nationwide protests over racial injustice and law enforcement within the Black community. The killing of Brooks shifted the Atlanta Police Chief, Erika Shields to resign.
Our hearts are with Brooks’ family and friends today.
