Mourners gathered at a church outside Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday to remember Irvo Otieno in a service that moved between grief, celebration and outrage.
The service at First Baptist Church of South Richmond drove home a fuller portrait of the 28-year-old Black man, who was killed in police custody at Central State Hospital on March 6 during a mental health crisis.
A video tribute featured photos of a grinning Otieno — in basketball uniforms, locked arms with his brother — over a rap he wrote under the name “Young Vo” celebrating his family. Family and friends described Otieno as a gifted athlete, expressive rapper and loving caretaker to a puppy named Papi.
Civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton delivered Otieno’s eulogy, suggesting an “Irvo Law” to improve the treatment of people with mental illness. And he also took aim at Gov. Glenn Youngkin, calling on the Republican to press for systemic reforms to the system.
“If the governor want to run for president, he got to go through Caroline,” Sharpton said, alluding to Otieno’s mother and Youngkin’s potential presidential aspirations. ”I’m not here to attack him, I’m here to challenge him.”
Youngkin has repeatedly called for an additional $230 million in mental health funding in this year’s state budget, including more funding for mental health crisis response teams that can intervene before someone ends up in a hospital. He so far hasn’t proposed new policies in response to Otieno’s death. The governor sent two representatives to the funeral: Secretary of Commonwealth Kay Cole James and Richard Cullen, counsellor to the governor.
The service vacillated between somber moments of reflection, celebratory choir music and impassioned calls for justice over a death that’s drawn international outrage.
Last week, a grand jury in Virginia indicted seven sheriff's deputies and three hospital staff members of second-degree murder for their role in Otieno’s death.
Hospital footage shows deputies and hospital staff piling on top of a handcuffed and shackled Otieno for roughly 11 minutes. The state hasn’t completed an official autopsy report or released an official cause of death. However, Dinwiddie County Commonwealth's Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill, who brought charges against the 10 people, said Otieno was suffocated by the weight of his restraint.
Ben Crump, a high-profile civil rights attorney who is part of the team representing Otieno’s family, called for new mental health courts to hear cases involving people who are in distress, a model used in California and New York.
"Irvo’s legacy won’t be decided by them,” Crump said. “Irvo’s legacy will be decided by us. We will get justice for Otieno.”
The incident began March 3, when a neighbor called police after observing Otieno taking out solar-powered lights from their lawn and banging on their door. Police placed Otieno under an emergency custody order and took him to a local hospital.
Henrico County Police said Otieno assaulted officers at the hospital and transferred him to the Henrico County Jail over the weekend before transferring him to Central State on March 6. He died before he was admitted.
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The Rev. Al Sharpton delivers the eulogy during a funeral service for Irvo Otieno on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at First Baptist Church of South Richmond in Richmond, Virginia.
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A man wipes away tears during a funeral service for Irvo Otieno on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at First Baptist Church of South Richmond in Richmond, Virginia.
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Caroline Ouko wipes tears from her face as her son, Leon Ochieng, consoles her during a funeral service for Irvo Otieno on Wednesday.
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The Rev. Al Sharpton meets with family members of Irvo Otieno before a funeral service for Otieno on Wednesday.
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A person holds a program during a funeral service for Irvo Otieno on Wednesday, March 29.
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Leon Ochieng raises his hand after watching a video tribute to his bother, Irvo Otieno, as his mother, Caroline Ouko, stands by his side during a funeral service for Otieno on Wednesday.
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Attorney Benjamin Crump chats with Bishop Dr. Yolanda O. Benjamin before a funeral service for Irvo Otieno on Wednesday, March 29 at First Baptist Church of South Richmond.
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The choir performs during a funeral service for Irvo Otieno.
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The choir sings before a funeral service for Irvo Otieno on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at First Baptist Church of South Richmond.
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Leon Ochieng raises his fist after watching a video tribute to his bother, Irvo Otieno, as his mother, Caroline Ouko, stands by his side during a funeral service for Otieno on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at First Baptist Church of South Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. Otieno, 28, was experiencing a mental health crisis when his mother Caroline called for help. Henrico County Sheriff's Department said deputies placed him on an emergency mental health hold and took him in for evaluation. Three days later, he was dead. In an incident caught on video, deputies and hospital workers at Central State Hospital piled upon him. Dinwiddie County Commonwealth's Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill said Otieno was suffocated by the weight of his restraint. Seven deputies and three hospital employees have been charged with second-degree murder following his death.
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Leon Ochieng gets emotional near his brother’s casket during the funeral service for Irvo Otieno on Wednesday.
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The Rev. Al Sharpton called for implementation of an "Irvo Law" in Virginia during his remarks on Wednesday.
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Attorney Ben Crump, left, escorts Caroline Ouko along with the Rev. Al Sharpton during a funeral service for Irvo Otieno.
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Attorneys Ben Crump delivers the call for justice as Mark Krudys listens on during a funeral service for Irvo Otieno on Wednesday.
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Rev. Al Sharpton delivers the Eulogy during a funeral service for Irvo Otieno on Wednesday.
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“If the governor want to run for president, he got to go through Caroline [Ouko],” Sharpton said, alluding to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s potential presidential aspirations. ”I’m not here to attack him, I’m here to challenge him."
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A person consoles Leon Ochieng and his mother, Caroline Ouko, during the funeral service for Irvo Otieno.
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Caroline Ouko wipes tears from her face along with her son, Leon Ochieng, during a funeral service for Irvo Otieno on Wednesday.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
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A person sings and dances with the choir during a funeral service for Irvo Otieno on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at First Baptist Church of South Richmond.
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Attorneys Mark Krudys and Ben Crump give remarks following a funeral service for Irvo Otieno on Wednesday.
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Caroline Ouko delivers remarks about her slain son as Rev. Al Sharpton consoles her during a funeral service for Irvo Otieno.
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Family and friends described Otieno as a gifted athlete, expressive rapper and loving caretaker to a puppy named Papi.
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Jimmy Marshall embraces Caroline Ouko after giving remarks about her slain son.
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A casket with the remains of Irvo Otieno is taken to a hearse following Wednesday's funeral service.
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Caroline Ouko is escorted out by Ben Crump following Wednesday's funeral service.
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Caroline Ouko looks on as the casket of her slain son is loaded into a hearse during Wednesday's funeral service.
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A casket with the remains of Irvo Otieno is loaded into a hearse following the funeral service.
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The service vacillated between somber moments of reflection, celebratory choir music and impassioned calls for justice over a death that’s drawn international outrage.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
