RAEFORD, N.C. – Hundreds, if not thousands, showed up to pay their respects to George Floyd. 

The gold casket arrived shortly before 10 a.m. Saturday. 

As it was rolled into the church, the crowd chanted “What’s his name? George Floyd.”

Shortly after, mourners began paying their respects at the public memorial service held in Raeford.

Floyd’s death has hit home for some in Hoke County.

"I lost my brother man. He got killed in his own house. By a caucasian man," said Jemelle McNair, who lives in Raeford.

Maurice Johnson, a Raeford Business owner said Floyd’s death has affected the community.

 "The way the death and tragedy happened...being from the heart of Raeford...man it's a tragedy. Not just on the family but the community as well. Because from what I understand, Floyd was a good guy. A family guy," Johnson said.

Related: Outspoken Hoke County Sheriff Sounds Off on Law Enforcement, Racial Tensions

Other people we talked with say they drove as many as eight hours Saturday morning from surrounding states, like Georgia.

Cars lined the road in front of the church as far as the eye could see.

Inside the building, mourners made a continuous path past the open casket. After nearly three hours, the doors were closed in preparation for a private memorial service with family.

Floyd was born in nearby Fayetteville and has a number of relatives in North Carolina. He later moved to Houston, and then Minnesota where he died on May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer was seen on video pressing a knee onto Floyd's neck for several minutes even after he pleaded for air and stopped moving.

Floyd's death has sparked protests all over the United States, as well as other parts of the world, calling for an end to racial injustices and police brutality. 

For more than a week, protesters in North Carolina have taken to the streets in cities across state. While many of those protests have remain peaceful, some have resulted in instances of violence, rioting, and looting. 

The officer accused of killing Floyd has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers present at the time of Floyd's death also face charges of aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. 

Live updates from today's services can be found below.