louis_farrakhan.jpgROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) _ Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan tells Rockford residents he'll offer his support in combating the “epidemic'' of violence.

 

The leader of the Chicago-based movement spoke Saturday at Kingdom Authority International Ministries Church.

It's where a 23-year-old black man was fatally shot by two white police officers last year. Mark Anthony Barmore's death sparked racial tension in the northern Illinois community.

Farrakhan addressed about 400 people at the church, making little mention of the shooting.

He says he came to the church not to feed anger, but to help. He spoke specifically of black-on-black crime.

A grand jury found the Barmore shooting was justified. But an independent review concluded the officers violated police department policies. Federal officials have started reviewing the case.