Florida teen’s funeral turns chaotic as mourners clash with police during street takeover

19-year-old Nigel Beckford was shot and killed in early August. A 17-year-old suspect was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting, and details surrounding the incident remain unclear.

Beckford’s funeral was held in Boynton Beach on Saturday. Following the burial, some of his loved ones accused law enforcement of targeting them as deputies with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office intervened.

Five men were arrested during the incident, while deputies reportedly recovered four stolen firearms, according to WPBF.

Footage from the scene showed mourners wearing purple and white outfits as officers moved in to make arrests. One deputy could be heard repeatedly shouting, “Leave the area! Leave the area!” as the confrontation escalated. Officers fired pepper-ball rounds into the crowd as deputies attempted to make the arrests.

“We’re just coming from the graveyard!” the teen’s aunt said while filming the incident.

“Ya’ll dead a** wrong! Ya’ll dead a** wrong!” she yelled. “We just buried my nephew, coming from the graveyard. Have sympathy!”

The five men arrested during the incident were later released on bail. Three of the men were arrested on traffic-related charges, including reckless driving and street racing. The other two were arrested on charges including resisting an officer, battery, and inciting a riot.

Questions regarding the arrest were raised on Monday during a community meeting intended to be focused on utility rate increases and a property tax proposal. Family members of those arrested questioned why the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office Gang unit was monitoring the event and if the force used was justified. However, no representative for the sheriff's office was present.

Arrest reports stated that PBSO deputies were surveilling the funeral because of concerns of gang-related retaliation following the shooting.