No mother should have to bury their child, but that has become the norm for many black mothers across the nation. Seventeen-year-old Antwon Rose Jr. was buried Monday, June 25, on the birthday of Tamir Rice, who was shot and killed by a police officer in 2014 at the age of 12.
On June 19, Rose was shot in the back three times by police officer Michael Rosfield in East Pittsburgh as he fled during a traffic stop.
Hours after an exclusive ABC interview in which Rose’s mom said the police murdered her son “in cold blood,” the funeral was held at Woodland Hills Intermediate School in Swissvale, Pennsylvania. Rose would have been a senior next year.
NBC News reports hundreds gathered to honor the short life of Antwon Rose Jr. and pay their respects to his family.
Mourners pay their respects as #AntwonRose II is laid to rest at the McKeesport & Versailles Cemetery. @PGVisuals
@PittsburghPG
pic.twitter.com/r6fcphkhgr— Antonella Crescimbeni (@AntonellaCres) June 25, 2018
Included in the funeral program was the poignant poem the talented teen wrote in 2016, titled, “I Am Not What You Think!” He wrote, “I see mothers bury their sons. I want my mom to never feel that pain.”
The program for the funeral service of #AntwonRose. On the back, a poem he wrote in his Woodland Hills High School English class: “I Am Not What You Think.” @905wesa
pic.twitter.com/izDOf9CvDW— Katie Blackley (@kate_blackley) June 25, 2018
The Chicago Tribune reports Muslim minister Victor Muhammad assured mourners Rose’s life and death are “part of a perfect storm meant to bring about justice for all and social progress in America.”
Although the funeral was a celebration of life, following the service, Rose's cousin, Missy Carter, declared justice would prevail by any means:
“My cousin’s life will not be in vain! Will not be in vain. Will not be in vain. I don’t care who, what, where, justice will prevail.”
