Funeral For Cherry Tree Crossing Shooting Victim Held Monday

Funeral For Cherry Tree Crossing Shooting Victim Held Monday (Added: December 23, 2008)

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Hundreds turned out to remember Justin Elmore, Monday...an Augusta man shot and killed by police. The shooting led to several nights of unrest in the neighborhood it happened in. Monday morning, people packed into Macedonia Baptist Church. The controversial shooting attracted the attention of Reverend Al Sharpton, the president of the National Action Network. Authorities say Elmore had drugs and weapons in his vehicle when he attempted to run from police, December 7th, in the Cherry Tree Crossing housing development. The Sheriff says Elmore tried to run over the deputies and that's when they fired. WJBF News Channel 6's Renita Crawford has the story.

By: WJBF Staff | WJBF-TV
Published: December 23, 2008

Augusta, GA -- Reverend Al Sharpton, President, National Action Network: "No one wants to bury their children, but we also want to make it clear we are going to stand with this family."

In a display of calm and a call for unity, Reverend Al Sharpton offered words of support and comfort to the hundreds who paid their respects to Justin Elmore. Many are angry and saddened over his death.

Rev. Sharpton: "If anything good is going to come out of this situation, we in the community have to understand it ain't going to be easy."

Rev. Sharpton says he has met with Elmore's family, clergy, and elected officials to make sure justice is served.

Rev. Sharpton: "There has been a call for peace and calm and I join that, but there must be an equal call for justice...to call for peace without justice is just to call for quiet...amen. We need real peace and peace is when all of us are respected the same way."

Elmore's shooting and news of his death sparked outrage and led to tension between residents of Cherry Tree Crossing and police. Neighbors in Cherry Tree Crossing took to the streets, throwing rocks and bottles at police. Officers in riot gear worked to control the crowd.

Monday, Rev. Sharpton says there has to be mutual respect on the part of the community and police in the aftermath of the shooting death.

Rev. Sharpton: "I appeal to those in Augusta to understand that these are our children, some of them, make mistakes, sometimes they may even break the law. That's why they have courts, but don't expect us to sit silently while you take target practice on our children..."

Elmore had an extensive arrest record and police suspected he had drugs and weapons in his vehicle, the night of the shooting. Rev. Sharpton told the standing room only crowd that the investigation should be done fairly and that Augusta's leaders should make sure it happens that way.

Rev. Sharpton: "Criminals are wrong if they're in blue jeans, or in blue uniform. There must be one law for everybody. We respect police. We need them, but we need them to respect the law."

The GBI is heading up the investigation. The agency says it will not release dash cam video of the shooting. Its findings from the investigation will be turned over to the District Attorney's office.