Protests continued Friday in Elizabeth City as community members, family, and even Gov. Roy Cooper called for the swift release of body cam footage in the death of Andrew Brown Jr.

Groups of protesters swelled and shrank throughout the day and night on Friday, many saying they would continue for as long as it takes.

It was also announced Friday that three Pasquotank County deputies resigned following Brown's death.

Brown was fatally shot by deputies Wednesday morning as they were enforcing a search and arrest warrant for drug charges. Family members said they were informed about the deputies' resignations by Sheriff Tommy Wooten. 

The sheriff's office confirmed the resignations, but, according to a report by the Associated Press, it was later clarified that the three resignations were unrelated to the shooting.

In the wake of the shooting, community members have gathered along the police crime scene tape line and demanded answers as to why Brown was shot. They also called for the immediate release of body cam footage. 

Gov. Roy Cooper echoed those calls Friday evening. 

"Initial reports of the shooting in Elizabeth City and death of Andrew Brown, Jr. this week are tragic and extremely concerning," Cooper said on Twitter. "The body camera footage should be made public as quickly as possible and the SBI should investigate thoroughly to ensure accountability."

Glenda Thomas, Brown's aunt, said the family has not been shown the footage because District Attorney Andrew Womble has not released it. According to Thomas, the sheriff said the DA "wants to get all the facts straight." Thomas and other family members met with the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office at 2 p.m. Friday.

Thomas said the sheriff told the family when the search warrant was performed deputies did not find any drugs in the house or Brown's car. She also said deputies did not find a gun according to the sheriff.

The shooting came less than a day after the former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges in the murder of George Floyd. 

Some of Brown's family described him as a happy child, loving father and someone who brought a smile to everyone around him. 

The Brown family says his death is part of a trend they are tired of seeing repeated.

Demetri Williams is a neighbor of Brown. She said she lives down the street and was home when deputies pulled the trigger on Brown.

Williams said, "I heard the first shot. I jumped up and ran down here. By the time I got down here I could see the officer standing behind his car and they were shooting, in the back of his car--he was trying to get away and you can see the track marks in the dirt, and even the mud is still on this side.”

The News & Observer stated emergency radio traffic from the incident said that Brown was shot in the back by law enforcement. 

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations was called in shortly after the shooting to take over the investigation, which is the standard protocol in a police shooting. 

Authorities have promised transparency in the case, but family of Brown and others are still calling for body camera footage to be released. 

By Friday afternoon, the intersection at Ehringhaus Street and Halstead Boulevard had been blocked off in anticipation of more protesting Friday evening. Family members also gathered around 5:30 p.m. to release balloons in tribute to Brown.