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Thursday Funeral Planned for Unarmed Black Man Shot by Police in California

by VOA News

   The funeral for an unarmed African-American man who was killed by
   police in western city of Sacramento, California will be held Thursday.

   Civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton is expected to deliver the
   eulogy.

   Stephon Clark, 22, was shot dead on March 18 by two officers who were
   responding to a night-time phone call about a man breaking car windows
   and a glass door. The officers encountered Clark in his grandparents
   back yard and shot him to death, firing 20 bullets. Clark did not have
   a weapon. A cell phone was found nearby.

   The police killing of the unarmed African-American person has sparked
   protests and reignited debate over police brutality against
   African-Americans.

   Clark's killing has prompted activists to demand greater independence
   in the investigation and some have called for the officers to be
   charged with crimes.

   The California attorney general's office joined the investigation
   Wednesday to provide independent oversight.

   The announcement was made by Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn, who
   said the partnership with the attorney general's office is intended to
   "build faith and confidence" in the probe.

   Attorney General Xavier Becerra said his office would ensure the probe
   would be "based on the facts and the law, nothing less, nothing more."