Mourners Remember Ramarley Graham, Teen Fatally Shot By Cops
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Mourners packed a church in the Bronx Saturday to celebrate the life, and condemn the death, of an unarmed teenager who was fatally shot in the bathroom of his home dring a police drug probe.
Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton pledged that 18-year-old Ramarley Graham will not be forgotten and called the Feb. 2 killing unjust. Sharpton has demanded a federal investigation into the shooting saying the future of New York City will be determined by how authorities handle the case.
The teen's body was clad in white and his casket was covered with dozens of white flowers.
Family and friends recalled Graham at his funeral as a romantic who met his girlfriend on Valentine's Day.
Graham was killed by police in the bathroom of the apartment where he lived with his mother and grandmother. Police said a bag of marijuana was found in the toilet, suggesting Graham was trying to flush it away before the gunfire erupted.
Authorities said Graham had at least two prior arrests for marijuana and burglary.
An officer and his sergeant have been stripped of their guns and put on desk duty while the shooting is being investigated.
Sharpton has demanded the NYPD reveal the names of the officers involved in the shooting.
Protesters have also called for an indictment against the officer who fatally shot Graham and are demanding a federal investigation. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has ordered a review.
Saturday's funeral is being held at the Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church in the Bronx.
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