The body of George Floyd will be returned to his native Houston, the city’s mayor said.
Floyd, 46, whose Memorial Day death during an encounter with Minneapolis police has sparked national outrage and widespread protests, grew up in Houston’s Third Ward and was a star tight end on the Jack Yates High School football team, and played in the state championship at the Houston Astrodome in 1992.
“This is the same city that George Floyd grew up in and his body will be returning to this city,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a news conference. “And so the focus needs to be on supporting and uplifting his family.”
Sylvester did not provide further details, nor has Floyd’s family announced funeral plans.
The announcement comes as protests have erupted throughout the country — including the Big Apple — in the wake of Floyd’s death after being pinned down by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin while pleading for air for nearly four minutes.
Chauvin and three other cops involved in the incident were fired the following day by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and later charged with third-degree murder in the case.
Sylvester, who spoke alongside Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, said more than 130 people have been arrested since the demonstrations began Friday. But he added that 80 percent of the protesters remained peaceful.
With Post wires