ST. LOUIS (AP) — The uncle of police shooting victim Michael Brown says his nephew would oppose the violence that’s been plaguing Ferguson, Missouri.

Pastor Charles Ewing told Sunday worshippers at Jennings Mason Temple Church what he believes his nephew was thinking before he was shot: “I believe in God. I got my hands up. I surrender.”

Ewing said Brown was “gunned down,” but their family is appealing for peace in the community.

Ewing told his St. Louis congregation, “Rioting and looting is not the way, but Jesus is the way.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.