PALM BAY, Fla. – In an effort to shield the funeral of Army Spc. Justing Horsley, hundreds of people lined the sidewalk in front of a Palm Bay funeral home, however, police told the crowd that the funeral service had been cancelled.
Local 6 news partner Florida Today reports Horsley's family had planned to have a private funeral Wednesday; however, leaders of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church made public statements that they would picket the service. That intent sparked a Facebook campaign drawing hundreds of supporters to create a human shield but Westboro church members never appeared.
Gov. Rick Scott has ordered that all national and state flags be flown at half-staff at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee as well as the Brevard County Courthouse and Palm Bay City Hall on Wednesday in honor of Horsley.
The 21-year-old graduate of Bayside High died July 22 while on patrol in Pul-E Alam, Afghanistan.
A roadside bomb hit his unit, killing him and Pfc. Brenden N. Salazar, of Chuluota.
Hundreds lined the sidewalk in front of a Palm Bay funeral home