Funeral Held For Thurman Blevins, Man Killed By Minneapolis Police

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The funeral for Thurman Blevins, the black man shot and killed by Minneapolis police last month, was held Saturday morning on the city's north side.

The service for the 31-year-old took place inside Faith Deliverance Holiness Church. The church's pastor said Blevins' uncle, who is also a pastor, officiated.

The service began at 11 a.m. Blevins' casket was carried out of the church around 1 p.m. Reporters were not allowed inside.

Funeral for Thurman Blevins has ended as casket being brought out @WCCO pic.twitter.com/uOKyMSzgzm

— Kate Raddatz (@RaddReport) July 14, 2018

On June 23, officers shot and killed Blevins. Police say the officers responded to a call of a man firing a gun into the ground and the air in north Minneapolis.

After a short foot chase, officers shot Blevins multiple times. He died at the scene.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the agency investigating the shooting, said Blevins had a gun. Community members, however, have insisted he wasn't armed.

The shooting was captured by police body cameras. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the city will release the footage once the BCA finishes interviewing major witnesses.

Earlier this week, Blevins' relatives called for the officers who shot him – Ryan Kelly and Justin Schmidt – to be prosecuted for his death, which they described as a "murder."

On Thursday, the family shut down a community meeting where the head of the BCA was slated to speak about the investigation.