MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Relatives, friends and former classmates thronged a funeral service Saturday for a 58-year-old black man who authorities say was shot and killed by a white Montgomery police officer.
The mourners paid homage to Gregory Gunn, who police say was shot by Officer Aaron Smith on Feb. 25. Smith was arrested recently and charged with murder in the case.
“Greg’s life is not in vain, for look at all of us who he has touched,” the Rev. Herman Calhoun said at Saturday’s service at the True Divine Baptist Church in this Alabama city. “Greg’s life was a life that has been used by God.”
Those who spoke described Gunn as a joyful man who loved cars and was a mentor to his nieces and nephews.
Gunn’s niece says he would give her some spending money every time she brought home an ‘A’ average on her report card. She recalled she started doing so well that Gunn rescinded his normal offer, but would take her for rides in a prized sports car instead.