COLUMBUS, Ohio — Nearly three weeks after being shot and killed by a Franklin County sheriff's deputy, Casey Goodson Jr. has reached his final resting spot.

What You Need To Know

  • Funeral for Casey Goodson Jr. held Wednesday at First Church of God

  • Goodson's mother, Tamala Payne and family attorney Sean Walton spoke

  • Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, Congresswoman Joyce Beaty, City Council President Shannon Hardin attended

  • Comes just a day after another Black man was shot and killed by a Columbus Police Officer

Timothy Clarke, the bishop of First Church of God, led the service. He credited Goodson’s mother, Tamala Payne, for being brave enough to say some words.

“This is beyond a tragedy. This is beyond a great loss. This is heartbreaking,” said Payne.

While emotions ran high, the service used music and scripture to celebrate Goodson’s life.

“I believe Casey’s purpose is to change the world. I believe Casey's name will save many other Black and brown boys who are not safe from the racist police.”

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and City Council President Shannon Hardin attended the funeral, which comes just one day after another fatality in Columbus.

“Yesterday, another one of our brothers was shot down, cut down at the hands again of another police officer, this is a trying time in our city,” said Clarke.

And it’s not just Columbus having a tough time with issues of race and policing. 2020 has seen a reckoning across the country with high profile deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others. The killings sparked mass protests across the country and awoke a movement for justice.