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It’s been a long, emotional and confusing two weeks since Jonathan Ferrell was shot dead by an officer as he was seeking help from after a car accident.

And on Saturday, the former FAMU football player was finally laid to rest.

The 24-year-old was eulogized in his hometown and the celebration of his life lasted more than two hours, drawing more than 500 people to the Old West Florida Enrichment Center who remembered him as a son, brother, scholar and athlete.

“It matters what you do while you’re here. Jon is a role model for black men, young black men, all across America,” said Leo Jackson, who played with Ferrell in 2006 when the Florida A&M Developmental Research School won a state championship.

“There is no substitute for hard work. That’s what Jon believed.”

The choir performed a series of upbeat songs, leaving the mourners singing in praise and remembering Ferrell for who he really was.

At one point, his high school teammates and younger brother huddled at the front of the church, swaying and chanting Ferrell’s name.

According to the Charlotte Observer, most of his home-going celebration was filled with praise, song and love. But there was no mention of how Ferrell’s life was taken.

If you recall, an unarmed Ferrell was shot 10 times by Officer Randall Kerrick on Sept 14 during a confrontation that stemmed from Ferrell seeking help after crashing his vehicle. The officer was promptly charged with voluntary manslaughter, but the family and the NAACP are fighting to increase the charges, as they believe the shooting was “barbaric.”

We send our thoughts and prayers to Ferrell’s loved ones and pray that justice is served in this tragic case.
SOURCE: Charlotte Observer | VIDEO SOURCE: YouTube