Local artist and business owner Ulysses Edwards, foreground wearing red Chicago Bulls cap, receives a hug from Khalil Ferebee, one of Andrew Brown Jr.'s sons, Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Elizabeth City, N.C., during a presentation of a mural honoring Brown that Edwards painted on an exterior wall of Brown's home on Perry Street. Public viewings were held Sunday for Brown in Hertford and then in Elizabeth City, where Brown was shot by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies serving warrants. (Chris Day/The Daily Advance via AP)
The Associated Press
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (AP) - Hundreds of mourners paid their respects to a North Carolina man whose shooting at the hands of sheriff's deputies has triggered a wave of protests.
Public viewings were held Sunday for Andrew Brown Jr. in Hertford and then in Elizabeth City, where Brown was shot by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies serving search and arrest warrants.
An autopsy conducted by Brown's family found he was shot in the back of his head. His family and protesters are demanding release of police camera footage.
News
outlets report that dozens of people attended the viewing in Hertford and hundreds attended the Elizabeth City viewing.
Terrell Green, Brown's cousin, said he was playing cards and hanging out with Brown on April 21, a few hours before he was killed.
'œI just feel like they're trying to hide something,'ť Green said.
Protesters have gathered daily in Elizabeth City to demand accountability: Green said he has attended the protests as well.
'œThey declare a state of emergency, bring in all these officers from all over the place, set a curfew. We haven't even broken a glass bottle," he said. "We just want the truth.'ť
Mourner Kenyatta Swain said he also knew Brown and described him as "always pleasant, willing to help anyone. Just a good guy, always for the community.'ť
An invitation-only funeral is scheduled for Monday.
Pete Brown leans against a mural of his nephew Andrew Brown Jr. during a stop at Andrew Brown's home by hundreds of protesters who marched from Waterfront Park to Brown's home on Perry Street, Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Elizabeth City, N.C. Public viewings were held Sunday for Brown in Hertford and then in Elizabeth City, where he was shot by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies serving warrants. (Chris Day/The Daily Advance via AP)
The Associated Press
Members of Andrew Brown Jr.'s family gather for a group photo in front of a mural painted in memory of Brown, Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Elizabeth City, N.C. Public viewings were held Sunday for Brown in Hertford and then in Elizabeth City, where Brown was shot by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies serving warrants. (Chris Day/The Daily Advance via AP)
The Associated Press
Local artist and business owner Ulysses Edwards speaks at the home of Andrew Brown Jr. during a stop in a march, Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Elizabeth City, N.C. Public viewings were held Sunday for Brown in Hertford and then in Elizabeth City, where Brown was shot by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies serving warrants. Edwards spoke about the opportunity to paint a memorial mural in honor of Brown on the side of Brown's home. (Chris Day/The Daily Advance via AP)
The Associated Press
Protesters march before stopping at the home of Andrew Brown Jr., Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Elizabeth City, N.C. Public viewings were held Sunday for Brown in Hertford and then in Elizabeth City, where Brown was shot by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies serving warrants. (Chris Day/The Daily Advance via AP)
The Associated Press
Protesters march south on Roanoke Avenue, turning left onto Perry Street before stopping at the home of Andrew Brown Jr., Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Elizabeth City, N.C. Public viewings were held Sunday for Brown in Hertford and then in Elizabeth City, where Brown was shot by Pasquotank County sheriff's deputies serving warrants. (Chris Day/The Daily Advance via AP)
The Associated Press