Police clash with mourners at Florida teen's burial, five arrested
After the burial of 19-year-old Nigel Beckford in Boynton Beach, a confrontation erupted between mourners and police, leading to the use of mace and the arrest of five men.
The funeral for Nigel Beckford, a 19-year-old shot dead on Aug. 8 in Boynton Beach, turned chaotic when mourners were reported to attempt a street takeover after the burial. Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies intervened, firing mace balls at the crowd and handcuffing several participants. Five men—Malik Lanard McGraw, Dylan Jayantione Stragh, Dwight Jamallantion Stragh, Jaedin Akwuame Stoveall, and Cardell Valcourt—were taken into custody; three faced traffic-related charges while the two Straghs were charged with resisting an officer, battery and inciting a riot.
The sheriff’s gang unit also seized four stolen firearms at the scene. Beckford’s aunt, Shanna Burks, posted on social media that she suffered bruises and criticized the police response as uncalled for. A 17-year-old, identified as Sebastian Abdul Miller, remains charged with first-degree murder in the original shooting, though the motive and relationship to Beckford are unclear. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment.
Why it matters
The clash highlights tensions between law enforcement and grieving communities during public mourning events.
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