By: Hunter McKee
OKLAHOMA CITY -
Family and friends gathered to remember the life of Bennie Edwards, who was shot by police outside an Oklahoma City pawn shop last month.
Dozens were present Saturday afternoon to honor Edwards, who was 60. Many shared their memories and talked about what he meant to them.
“Remember my uncle how we do,” Edwards’ niece Ameerah Gaines said. “As the person that he was. How gentle he was.”
The group also released balloons into the sky as tribute. Those who knew Edwards said he was homeless but still found a way to give back. Several called Edwards “The Flower Man.”
Quinton Chandler / StateImpact Oklahoma
Oklahoma City Police responding to a disturbance call killed a man Friday.
He has been identified by family members as Bennie Edwards – a black man who struggled with a mental health diagnosis.
Edwards’ family members said he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Police say Edwards was carrying a knife and ran towards officers before they opened fire.
Oklahoma City Police Capt. Daniel Stewart said police tried to deescalate the confrontation but had no choice except to shoot.
“They used a taser which most of our officers are equipped with,” Stewart said. “Then attempted to use OC gas which is commonly known as pepper spray and that was not effective.”
Protests Follow Police Killing Of Oklahoma City Man publicradiotulsa.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from publicradiotulsa.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Protesters voiced their anger and frustration at the Oklahoma City Police Department on Saturday night.
A crowd gathered at John Marshall High School to join two families whose loved ones were killed by Oklahoma City police officers in the last three weeks.
Next door to the high school is OCPD s Hefner briefing station. Protesters told News 9 the officers dispatched in Friday s fatal police shooting came from this station.
According to protesters, they’re here to be voices for 15-year-old Stavian Rodriguez and 60-year-old Bennie Edwards.
“And every day I wake up and I have to see my uncle laying on the ground like his life didn’t matter,” said Ameerah Gaines, a niece of Edwards.
Family, community demand answers after man shot, killed by police during confrontation Share Updated: 5:13 PM CST Dec 11, 2020 Share Updated: 5:13 PM CST Dec 11, 2020
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Show Transcript SHOOTING. PATRINA. PATRINA: WELL, THIS SCENE IS CLEARED, AND POLICE SAY THE SUSPECT HAD A KNIFE AND WOULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. WHEN HE IGNORED COMMANDS TO PUT IT DOWN, HE WAS SHOT. THEY HAVE CLEARED THE SCENES. BYSTANDERS WERE HERE, YELLING, SAYING THEIR ACTIONS WERE NOT JUSTIFIED. HE’S A PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIC. THEY RUSHED AT HIM, AND HE GOT SCARED AND STARTED RUNNING. PATRIN A BYSTANDER, BRI GRANT, RECORDING THIS CELL PHONE VIDEO OF THE MAN’S CONFRONTATION WITH THREE POLICE OFFICERS. HE HAD A KNIFE. PATRIN HE IGNORED COMMANDS TO DROP THE KNIFE OFFICERS SAY THEY USED A TASER AND PEPPER SPRAY. CAPTAIN: THE OFFICER WAS FORCED TO DISCHARGE HIS WEAPON. [SHOTS FIRED] PATRINA: THE FAMILY TELLS US THAT MAN IS 60-YEAR-OLD BENNIE EDWARDS. HE DIED AT THE SCE