The Latest: Sharpton tells funeral: ‘Stop this madness’

The Associated Press
The Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on the fatal police shooting of an unarmed black man in Sacramento (all times local):

12:27 p.m.

The Rev. Al Sharpton has told mourners that an unarmed black man fatally shot by Sacramento police should be alive today.

Sharpton spoke Thursday at the funeral for 22-year-old Stephon Clark, who was shot by police responding to a nighttime report of a man breaking car windows.

Sharpton says young black men have been killed all over the country and it’s time to “stop this madness.”

Sharpton addressed mourners after Clark’s brother, Stevante, made an emotional statement calling for community resources and declaring Stephon’s name won’t be forgotten.

___

12:20 p.m.

Emotion is gripping mourners at the funeral for an unarmed black man who was fatally shot by Sacramento police.

People were holding each other and wiping tears Thursday in front of the casket holding 22-year-old Stephon Clark at Bayside of South Sacramento church.

Clark’s 7-year-old sister, Cai’lyn, has performed with a “praise dance” team, and the Rev. Al Sharpton is scheduled to deliver the eulogy.

___

11:55 a.m.

A funeral has begun for an unarmed black man who was fatally shot by Sacramento police.

Opening prayers were said Thursday after mourners were asked to applaud the life of 22-year-old Stephon Clark.

The Rev. Al Sharpton is scheduled to deliver the eulogy for Clark at Bayside of South Sacramento church.

In addition to Clark’s family, mourners include Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and retired NBA player Matt Barnes.

___

11:25 a.m.

The family of an unarmed black man who was fatally shot by Sacramento police has arrived at a church for his funeral.

At least two family members are wearing red and black T-shirts honoring Stephon Clark.

The Rev. Al Sharpton is scheduled to speak at Thursday’s funeral for the 22-year-old Clark at the Bayside of South Sacramento church.

Clark’s wooden, closed casket is positioned front and center at the church and topped with a red and green floral display.

City officials are bracing for more protests.

___

10:55 a.m.

Mourners are arriving for the funeral of an unarmed black man who was fatally shot by Sacramento police responding at night to reports of someone breaking car windows.

The Rev. Al Sharpton is scheduled to speak at Thursday’s funeral for 22-year-old Stephon Clark at the Bayside of South Sacramento church.

City officials are bracing for more protests.

Clark’s wooden, closed casket is positioned front and center at the church and topped with a red and green floral display.

A red ribbon using Clark’s nickname says, “We Love You Big Poppa.” A white heart floral display has a red ribbon saying “Rest in Power” while another says “#Stephon Clark.”

The church has seating for about 360 people and there’s an overflow room for 150 more.

___

9:45 a.m.

The brother of an unarmed black man fatally shot by police in Sacramento has issued an apology to Mayor Darrell Steinberg for disrupting a City Council meeting.

Stevante Clark told TV station ABC10 (KXTV) that the mayor deserves respect.

During Tuesday night’s council meeting, Clark jumped onto a desk in front of the mayor and led chants.

Clark also told the station he is grateful for protests over the killing of his brother Stephon but does not support demonstrations that block fans from entering the arena where the NBA’s Sacramento Kings play their games.

The Kings have shown support for Stephon Clark’s family, including creating an education fund for his children and partnering with Black Lives Matter and community leaders seeking to improve Sacramento’s black community.

Stephon Clark’s funeral is scheduled Thursday.

___

8:05 a.m.

The Sacramento Kings basketball team says it is partnering with Black Lives Matter and is creating an education fund for the children of Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man fatally shot by police in California’s capital city.

The statement posted on the Kings’ website follows protests over the killing that have twice blocked fans from entering Golden 1 Center, the NBA team’s downtown arena.

The Kings also say they are partnering with a group of local leaders called “Build. Black. Coalition.” to support what it terms “transformational change” for black communities in Sacramento.

Clarks’ funeral is scheduled Thursday. The Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver a eulogy.

___

11:15 p.m.

A funeral will be held today for a 22-year-old unarmed black man killed by police in California’s capital city, which is on edge after days of unrest.

The Rev. Al Sharpton plans to give the eulogy for Stephon Clark at Thursday’s funeral at Bayside of South Sacramento church.

Some mourners are predicting increased unrest beyond the unruly but mostly nonviolent protests that have disrupted traffic and two professional basketball games since the March 18 shooting.

Family members and authorities are calling for calm.

Two Sacramento police officers who were responding to a report of someone breaking car windows fatally shot Clark in his grandparents’ backyard. Police say they thought Clark was holding a gun. He was found with a cellphone.

Some have called for the officers to face criminal charges.

COMMENTS

Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.