Funeral held in Paterson for Najee Seabrooks, community activist shot and killed by police

Funeral held for Najee Seabrooks in Paterson, New Jersey

PATERSON, N.J. --  People in Paterson said a final farewell Saturday to community activist Najee Seabrooks.

His funeral was held at Christian Fellowship Center.

Seabrooks was remembered Saturday for his work mentoring young people.

"We'll keep your legacy strong. Your spirit gonna live in me. It's gonna live in us while we're out here doing this work. We ain't going to lose you in vain, bro. We still got work to do. We got lives to change," one speaker said.

The 31-year-old was shot to death by police on March 3 following an hours-long standoff. 

Police were called to Seabrooks' home as he was suffering an apparent mental health crisis.

According to body camera video released by police, Seabrooks threatened officers, apparently started a fire and cut himself with knives.   

The New Jersey attorney general said officers opened fire after he lunged toward them with a knife in hand. 

The shooting remains under investigation. 

Family members and activists are calling for the police officers involved to be fired, and they want a unit established to help people going through a mental health crisis.

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