Tyler Perry to Pay for Rayshard Brooks’ Funeral
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 17, 2020

Tyler Perry to Pay for Rayshard Brooks’ Funeral

Entertainment mogul Tyler Perry has offered to pay for the funeral of Rayshard Brooks, who was shot in the back and killed by Atlanta police officers in a Wendy’s parking lot last week, according to CBS News. Attorney L. Chris Stewart, who is representing Brooks’ family, made the announcement at a Monday press conference.
“We want to thank and acknowledge Tyler Perry, who we spoke with, who will be taking care of the funeral for the family,” Stewart said. “It’s support like that and it’s people who are actually in this community—that love the community, that want healing and families like this to never have to go through something like this—to step forward.”

Not only will Perry pay for the funeral expenses, People has confirmed that he has also offered to pay for the college education for Brooks’ four children. According to a source, Perry, “spoke to Rayshard’s family and wanted to do something to help. His heart goes out to the family during this tragic time.”

Brooks, who was 27, is survived by his wife, Tomika Miller, and four children, Dream, 1;  Memory, 2; Blessing, 8; and Mekai, 13.

After fatally shooting Brooks in the back over the weekend, an Atlanta police officer was fired early Sunday, according to CBS News. The police killing has added to the current unrest and protests over police killings of black people.

The shooting occurred at a Wendy’s drive-thru after officials accused Brooks of resisting arrest and stealing an officer’s Taser. Officer Garrett Rolfe, who has been on the force since 2013, was fired, and his partner, Devin Bronsan, has been placed on administrative duty. Shortly after the reports of the police killing, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned.

According to a release by the Fulton County, Georgia, Medical Examiner’s Office, Brooks was shot twice in the back and died from organ damage and blood loss. The autopsy, which was performed on Sunday, lists Brooks’ cause of death as gunshot wounds to the back. The death has been ruled as a homicide.


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