A group of protesters mourned the death of a Baltimore man Sunday who was killed by the hands of police, The Associated Press reports.

Violence broke out before Freddie Gray's memorial service. The 25-year-old black man died a week after sustaining serious spinal injuries while in the custody of Baltimore police.

Some mourners held up signs outside the funeral home that read "We remember Freddie" and "Our Hearts Are With The Gray Family."

"It hits home. It really does. It's a reality check," said Tina Covington, who has a son around the same age as Gray was. "There is something going on in the police department that needs to change."

A church service was held for Gray where Pastor Jamal Bryant said that "somebody is going to have to pay" for Gray's death.

Bryant, who's Empowerment Temple AME Church will pay for Gray's funeral, reminded the people that if "you're black in America your life is always under threat."

A peaceful demonstration for Gray broke out into violence Saturday night. More than 1,000 people joined the protest while about 34 people were arrested following violent demonstrations.

According to the Baltimore Police Department, six police officers had minor injuries.

Bryant noted that "violence never leads to justice," urging for peaceful demonstrations only.

Gray died on April 19. Just a week before, police officers chased him through a West Baltimore neighborhood and dragged him into a police van.

As more than 1,000 people protested for his death on Saturday, a small group looted a convenience store and smashed storefront windows. At least three police cars' windows were smashed while a protester set a metal garbage can on fire and threw it toward a line of police officers.

Police did acknowledged Friday that Gray should have received medical help at the spot where he was arrested before being dragged into a police van and handcuffed without a seatbelt.