Boynton Beach, FL – After a funeral for 19‑year‑old Nigel Beckford was held at St. John Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) conducted a traffic stop about a mile south on N. Seacrest Boulevard. The stop resulted in the arrest of five men who were in attendance at the service.
Background
Beckford was shot and killed on August 8 near the 100 block of Northwest Eighth Avenue. Police later arrested a 17‑year‑old who faces first‑degree murder charges and additional firearm offenses. The funeral drew family members and friends, including Shanna Burks, who recorded the incident and posted the video to Facebook.
Police action
PBSO’s gang unit located a group of drivers they said were “recklessly driving and attempting to take over the intersection.” Officers entered the city limits to ensure safety around the funeral, according to the sheriff’s office. During the stop, deputies seized four stolen firearms and detained five men wearing white funeral attire. The men were handcuffed and made to sit on the pavement.
Claims of excessive force
Burks, who said she is related to the arrested men, alleges that deputies used excessive force, including pepper spray, and physically grabbed individuals from their cars. She posted on Facebook that she sustained bruises on her back and legs after asking deputies about her child. In the video, a woman can be heard shouting, “You got to have a reason,” and another clip appears to show a deputy firing what looks like rubber bullets at people standing near the traffic stop.
Legal context
Florida law makes it illegal to approach a first responder within 25 feet after receiving a verbal warning. The sheriff’s office has not yet released the arrest reports, but the five men—Dylan Jayantione Stragh, Dwight Jamallantion Stragh, Cardell Valcourt, Jaedin Akwuame Stoveall, and Malik Lanard McGraw—were booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on Saturday.
Ongoing investigation
Boynton Beach police and other agencies assisted PBSO after the incident. The city police continue to investigate Beckford’s homicide. The suspect in the shooting was apprehended by U.S. Marshals after a multi‑agency effort that used license‑plate reader technology and a search warrant to locate vehicles linked to the crime.
Community response
Residents expressed frustration that the funeral turned into a law‑enforcement confrontation, saying they could not grieve in peace. The incident highlights tensions between community members and law‑enforcement agencies during emotionally charged events.
Authorities have not commented further on the use of force allegations. The case remains under review, and the arrested individuals face charges pending formal filing.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
