Religious and community leaders at the funeral of a 15-year-old boy who police say begged for mercy before his father shot him are pleading for steps to end such violence.

Hundreds of people attended Monday's funeral in Detroit for Jamar Pinkney Jr. of Highland Park. Many say they remember the teen's loving nature, and many schoolmates claim him as a best friend.

U.S. Rep. John Conyers told the crowd people must work together to turn the tragedy into something meaningful for the nation.

He says he'll discuss Jamar's death when he meets Tuesday with President Barack Obama.

Jamar Pinkney Sr. is charged with first-degree murder. Authorities say the 37-year-old forced his son to strip, marched him to a vacant lot and killed him.