Aiyana Jones life celebrated at funeral

Hundreds of mourners attended Aiyana Jones funeral at Second Ebenezer Church to say goodbye to the 7-year-old who was fatally shot by Detroit Police during a police raid.

Aiyana Jones funeral

The Rev. Al Sharpton eulogized Jones, the little girl who has come to symbolize the plight of a city shaken up by the recent wave of gun violence.

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

In true Sharpton fashion, the civil rights activist brought mourners to their feet with an impassioned eulogy on policing, fatherhood, and gang lifestyle.

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.

Aiyana’s family lawyer Geoffrey Fieger, gave rousing remarks . 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.

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 raid that claimed her life

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 fired by a member of the Detroit Police Special Response Team. Officers entered the downstairs flat of the two-story duplex ob the East side of Detroit after throwing a stun grenade through the glass of a front window.

The raid was being taped by a video crew for the “The First 48” cable TV show as the cops executed a warrant for Chauncey Louis Owens, 34, wanted for the May 14 slaying of Southeastern High School senior Je’Rean Blake. Owens was captured as officers simultaneously raided the duplex’s upstairs unit, without letting off a stun bomb.

Owens has 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 fatally shot Aiyana. The 14-year veteran of the force has been placed on a desk job while the incident is investigated.

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

Fieger filed lawsuits on behalf of the family 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 sparking conversations on no knock warrants and policing in Black communities.

According to authorities, the fatal 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.