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Hundreds of mourners who turned up at the Trench Town Seventh-day Adventist Church yesterday to pay their final respects to footballer Andrae Edwards were left fuming after police brought an end to the service, 45 minutes into the programme.

Shortly after the eulogy was read by one of Edwards cousin, a church official took the microphone to inform the gathering that the police had given orders that the funeral would come to an end within a few minutes.

This did not go well with some of the mourners inside the church, who stormed out of the building as the officiating minister begged them to remain as he prayed for the family.

Killed by the police

Edwards was killed by the police on August 14 in what the lawmen say was a confrontation in Victoria Town, Rema.

A Browning 9mm pistol and a magazine containing five 9mm cartridges were reportedly taken from him.

The police say the matter was reported to the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).

During the funeral, a Jamaica Defence Force vehicle was parked inside the church yard while more than a dozen police officers kept a close watch on the proceedings.

According to the residents, the police had also interrupted the wake held in the community last Saturday night for Edwards.

In the eulogy, the 22-year-old was hailed as a talented footballer. He played for Arnett Gardens' Under-15 and Under-17 football teams and had dreams of becoming a soldier.