Mourners Fill Church to Say Goodbye to Aiyana Jones

Santiago Esparza, Doug Guthrie and George Hunter / The Detroit News

Detroit — The Rev. Al Sharpton eulogized the girl who has come to symbolize the plight of a city stunned by a wave of recent gun violence.

“I came because I feel we must stand and show the value and worth of the lives of our children,” he said.

In typical fiery fashion, Sharpton, a New York-based civil rights activist, brought mourners to their feet with a eulogy that touched on whether police would use flash grenades in West Bloomfield, men who make babies but don’t raise them and those who would rather be a thug instead of a protector.

Sharpton said times are tough, but not so tough that people are not doing better.

“Even if you are not responsible for being knocked down, you are responsible for getting back up,” he said.

Hundred of mourners gathered at Second Ebenezer Church to bid farewell today to 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley Jones, killed last Sunday by a police bullet when officers raided her home looking for a murder suspect.

Among the mourners were U.S. Rep. John Conyers and Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. Detroit City Council members Mayor Pro Tem Gary Brown, JoAnn Watson, Andre Spivey and James Tate also were in attendance.

Earlier in the service, the Rev. Horace Sheffield III, addressing the congregation, called Aiyana a “fallen angel.” He said that everyone at the service is helping the family just by showing up.

“A grief shared is a grief diminished,” he said.

Sheffield also asked God to let the lion lay down with the lamb, “so we will have peace.”

Southfield lawyer Geoffrey Fieger, who represents Aiyana’s family, gave a rousing address. He said Aiyana’s death was senseless and tragic.

“By her death, Aiyana has paid for a justice that will save the lives of other children,” he said.

Fieger also said the harsh feelings stemming from how she died can lead to fear and bitterness. He asked that mourners instead embrace love. He said justice can be sought without violence.

“Let us now collectively cleanse the shadow of fear and violence from our hearts,” Fieger said.

Family friend Tara Way read letters of support from Congressman John Conyers and others. She also read poems from Aiyana’s parents.

“The pain is hard to bear,” Charles Jones’ poem stated. “Just keep on shining down from heaven. These words are from my heart to my baby. Without all my love, and no one to give it to!!! Love Daddy.”

Police gunfire erupted again last night in the neighborhood where Aiyana was killed. A Michigan State Police trooper shot and wounded a man after a high-speed chase.

Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans said the man was shot as he attempted to flee on foot after his car slammed into a tree in front of 4404 St. Clair, just six blocks for 4054 Lillibridge where well-wishers have created a massive display of stuffed animals and balloons to mark the slain girl’s home.

Aiyana had been sleeping on a living room sofa about 12:40 a.m. Sunday when she was struck by a bullet from a gun carried by a member of the Detroit Police Special Response Team. Officers entered the downstairs flat of the two-story duplex in the 4000 block of Lillibridge on the city’s east side after throwing a stun grenade through the glass of a front window.

A video crew with the “The First 48″ cable TV show was recording the scene as the cops executed a warrant for Chauncey Louis Owens, 34, wanted for the May 14 slaying of a Southeastern High School senior. Owens was captured as officers simultaneously raided the duplex’s upstairs unit — without exploding a stun bomb.

Owens has since been charged with murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Jerean Blake.

Officer Joseph Weekley, a member of the Detroit Police Special Response Team, has been identified as the person who shot Aiyana. The 14-year veteran of the force has been placed on a desk job while the incident is investigated.

Police initially said Aiyana’s grandmother attempted to take Weekley’s gun, causing the errant shot. Later, police said the two may have collided.

Fieger filed lawsuits claiming negligence, civil rights violations and a police cover-up of the true facts.

Fieger says he has seen video evidence contradicting police accounts. He claims the fatal shot was fired by the officer before he entered the front door. Producers of the television show say they have turned their recordings over to investigators.

Aiyana’s death has drawn national attention, and investigators from the Michigan State Police took over the investigation of her death. Sharpton has said Aiyana’s family invited him to the funeral.

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has said he was “disgusted” by Sharpton’s appearance for the funeral. Sharpton, who noted Cox oversees the work of State Police, questioned the agency’s ability to do a fair investigation. Sharpton also suggested the Republican gubernatorial candidate was seeking “cheap votes” with his comment.

Community leaders including Sheffield hurried shortly after 10:30 p.m. to St. Clair Street when they heard of the latest police shooting incident. Sheffield said he feared unrest in such close proximity to the location of the child’s death.

Bystanders said the police chase lasted a long time up and down residential streets, at high speeds. Some said State Police arrested a neighborhood leader who chastised troopers for laughing and joking while the wounded man still was on the scene receiving first aid. Police did not confirm that arrest.

Evans said the trooper was after a reckless driver. After hitting the tree, he said three males emerged from the vehicle and started to flee on foot. One was shot by a trooper and another was arrested. The third escaped.

The wounded suspect was transported to an unspecified hospital. Evans said the injury was not believed to be life-threatening.

The shooting incident will be investigated by the Michigan State Police and the DPD homicide squad’s special assignments section, which handles all shootings by police.

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100522/METRO/5220375/Mourners-fill-church-to-say-goodbye-to-Aiyana-Jones#ixzz0ogfsZ4bs