>> reporter: he will soon head to georgia to conduct a federal investigation into the death of 17-year-old kendrick johnson. >> i will follow the facts whether, whether they lead. my objective is to discover the truth [ applause ] >> reporter: kendrick's grandmother watched the announcement on a portable tv on the street corner where the family continues its eight-month sit-in demanding answers. >> i'm so happy. and we trust inned lord. and i'm glad we hadn't been down here for nothing. >> reporter: they never believed the local sheriff's explanation that kendrick suffocated after squeezes his 19 inch shoulders into the 14126789 inch gym mat to reach for a shoe in the middle of a school day. >> his parents have always maintained that their son was killed. the only question we want to know is why they covering up for