Funeral held for man killed by San Francisco police
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A San Francisco man who was killed in a police shooting was laid to rest Thursday.
The fatal shooting of Mario Woods is renewing calls for Tasers and leading to changes in the department's reporting requirements for use of force.
The funeral for Mario Woods was held in a Bayview church just across the street from where he lost his life earlier this month.
VIDEO: Protesters sound off at police commission meeting over SFPD shooting
The 26-year-old man mourners remembered was nothing like the suspect who police say stabbed someone, then threatened officers with a knife.
"I hope people remember he was a human being, not just some black kid in the ghetto," said Damien Posey, a friend of the victim.
The fatal police shooting captured on cellphone videos has outraged those who say it's clear Woods was no threat.
"You know we talk about terrorism, but for the African American community this is terrorism," said Carol Tatum, a community activist.
VIDEO: Graphic new video released in fatal SFPD shooting of Mario Woods
At the emotional service, speaker after speaker denounced the police saying Mario Woods did not deserve to die. One friend wrote a poem.
"Mario got a body bag instead of a citation. That man got gunned down like a slave on a plantation," said Eric Jones, a friend of Woods.
San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr offered condolences to Gwendolyn Woods for the loss of her child. She eulogized her son calling him a good soul and though he had been in trouble with the law in the past, his mother said he had "paid his due" and was turning his life around.
"He was no one to fear, no one to run and hide from. He was trying to get away. So can you explain to me, make me undertand that it was in their right to kill my baby," Gwendolyn Woods said.
She has filed a civil rights suit against the city. And supporters promise to continue to protest.
Here is full video of the San Francisco police shooting of Mario Woods that happened on Dec. 2, 2015. Warning: This video contains graphic content and strong language
Click here to see all of our stories on Mario Woods
