Funeral held for man killed in Stand Your Ground shooting
LARGO (FOX 13) - A community gathered Saturday to mourn the loss of 28-year-old Markeis McGlockton, who was killed in a dispute over a handicapped parking space.
Saturday's services come one day after a group of lawmakers joined the family in their call for justice.
The shooting has sparked a national debate over Stand Your Ground laws.
The support from U.S. lawmakers asking for an investigation by the Department of Justice is being well-received by the McGlockton family as they continue to process his death.
Saturday, a few hundred people came together for his funeral, offering comfort to his family members, who say they are determined to get justice.
They're now turning to faith and leaning on each other as they remember the 28-year-old father of three.
"We love him," McGlockton's cousin, Desseri McCray said. "We miss him and we just hope we get justice."
A few hundred people filled the pews inside Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Saturday. Some even stood outside the sanctuary to show their support.
"The family is hurt right now," McGlockton's brother-in-law, Andre Danford said. "This is one of their darkest hours. They just haven't experienced death like this ever before."
McGlockton was gunned down in front his children by 47-year-old Michael Drejka, who told police he fired in self-defense after McGlockton pushed him to the ground.
The shooting happened outside the Circle A Food Store in Clearwater after Drejka started arguing with McGlockton's girlfriend because he was upset she was parked in a handicapped spot without proper tags.
Drejka avoided arrest because of Florida's Stand Your Ground law.
Friday, five lawmakers, including U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, signed a letter addressed to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking for the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation into the shooting.
"When I [saw] it, it was surprising and shocking. Not in a bad way, but just that everyone was showing so much support because everybody knows that if you stand your ground, it's just grounds to kill anybody," Danford said. "By any means necessary."
Following the funeral, loved ones held a celebration of life, filling a banner with messages of support, which is something McGlockton's family says they are now counting on in order to get justice.
"We just need the community's support," Danford said. "We just need everyone's support and rally together and pray upon this family and pray with them."
Loved ones plan to hold a special town hall with various community groups Sunday, July 29 at 4 p.m. at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Clearwater.