Saheed Vassell's Parents Bury Their Son, Demand Cops Be Punished

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — The parents of Saheed Vassell — the man who was shot dead by cops who mistakenly believed the pipe he carried was a gun — demanded justice for their son the day they buried his body.

“He should still be with us instead of having his life stolen by NYPD officers who killed him in a hail of at least 10 bullets,” said his parents, Lorna and Eric Vassell, in a statement.

“We condemn the NYPD’s propaganda campaign .... Focus should be on the officers who appeared to hop out of their cars and immediately started shooting at Saheed."

The Vassells were joined by hundreds of mourners who gathered at St. Anthony’s Baptist Church on Utica Avenue Friday morning to honor his memory and speak out against police officers they said shot their son because he was black.

“You don't have to go Eric Schneiderman or anyone else to answer the question of why this is happening to us — it's racism,” said attorney Anthony Ricco, who will be representing the Vassell family. “It's the hatred and contempt that this society holds for our race."

Vassell died on the corner of Montgomery Street and Utica Avenue earlier this month, after three people called 911 and reported he had something in his hand that looked like a gun.

"He died on April 4th, which is the anniversary of Martin Luther King, so he sparked a generation of history that people don't even know,” said National Action Network representative Rev. Kevin McCall outside the church. “They took away a king."

The community took to the streets after his shooting, outraged to lose Vassell, whom despite suffering from bipolar disorder, was known as a helpful and kind member of the community.

“He was a humble soul,” said Vassell’s uncle Milton Williams, after the service. “You could see he was loved based on the turnout of everyone who came here from the neighborhood.”

Telah Vassell, who arrived at the funeral dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform, wept as she described her older brother as her protector, a talented artist and “the life of the party.”

Vassell emigrated to the United States when he was 10 years old, studied to be a welder at Apex Technical School, and worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, his sister said.

Vassell could freestyle, dance, and loved working with his hands, she said.

“His warm heart, outgoing personality and generosity, was an enormous tribute to the community of Crown Heights,” said Telah. “No matter what, Saheed ways ended his conversations with 'I love you.'"

Vassell’s family declined to speak to the press, but his parents released a statement after the funeral calling on Mayor Bill de Blasio to give support to their quest for more information about their son’s death.

“While we mourn, we maintain our demands of the city that Mayor de Blasio has failed to fulfill: real and comprehensive transparency that can help ensure accountability for Saheed’s death.

“We demand that Mayor de Blasio and the NYPD release the names of the officers involved in killing our son.”

After the funeral, mourners followed a white coffin out of the church and to Cypress Hills Cemetery for his burial.

Photos by Kathleen Culliton