A police car is on patrol at the Woodland Hills Intermediate School in Pittsburgh, the United States, on June 25, 2018. The funeral for Antwon Rose, an African American teen shot dead by police near Pittsburgh in the state of Pennsylvania last week, was held Monday after his killing had triggered days of demonstrations against racism and police brutality. (Xinhua/Yang Chenglin)
PITTSBURGH, the United States, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The funeral for Antwon Rose, an African American teen shot dead by police near Pittsburgh in the state of Pennsylvania last week, was held Monday after his killing had triggered days of demonstrations against racism and police brutality.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at noon in Woodland Hills Intermediate School in Swissvale, a borough in Allegheny County, where Rose had participated in the gifted program and excelled in honors courses.
The 17-year-old teenager was remembered by families and friends as "bright, charming and generous."
"He's always been a very respectful kid," said Jeffery Walker, Rose' s cousin.
An obituary for Rose says he also "loved to play basketball, surf and skate," and he played saxophone in the jazz band at his high school and was an active volunteer.
Rose was killed in Allegheny County on June 19th after being shot three times in the back by police officer identified as Michael Rosfeld.
Before the shooting, the car Rose and his friends were riding was pulled over by Rosfeld because he believed it matched the description of a vehicle wanted in a shooting in a nearby town. Police said the car had bullet damage to a back window.
As Rosfeld was taking the driver into custody, a video taken by a witness showed Rose and another passenger running from the car, followed by sound of three gunshots. Rose, unarmed, fell onto the ground and was pronounced dead later in a hospital.
Rose's death has sparked days of demonstrations in Pittsburgh demanding justice for him.
Protesters have also questioned the use of deadly force by the police officer, while urging an end to police brutality and racism in law enforcement.
Police said they found two firearms in the car and an empty clip in Rose's pocket. But lawyers for Rose's family said no evidence that had been produced shows the teenager posed a threat to police, nor had he been part of the earlier shooting.
The lawyers have also argued that the empty gun clip and the guns in the car have no bearing on whether the fatal shooting was justified.
During the protests, many were holding signs written "Black Lives Matter", shouting "No Justice, No Peace." Organizers said there would be no protests Monday out of respect for Rose's family.
As mourners left the funeral, they shouted to the assembled media outside. "Say his name!" said one. Another cried, "Justice for my cousin!"
According to the Washington Post's Fatal Force database, at least 501 people have been killed by U.S. police this year, of which 92 people were African Americans.
Rose's mother, Michelle Kenney, in an interview with ABC News, said that "I wouldn't wish this on anybody. I can't begin to explain the sadness and sorrow."
Local authorities said that Officer Rosfeld, 30, had been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the shooting.
The officer had previously worked for other departments but was sworn in the East Pittsburgh force about three hours before the shooting.
It remains unknown when the investigation into Rosfeld's killing would conclude.