Two officers involved in the home raid that led to the death of Breonna Taylor have been dismissed from their positions, the Louisville Metro Police Department announced on Wednesday.
In a series of termination letters penned by Chief of Police Yvette Gentry, Det. Myles Cosgrove and Det. Joshua Jaynes were informed of the department’s decision.
“Please be advised effective this date your employment with the Louisville Metro Police Department is terminated,” said both letters, dated Jan. 5.
The officers’ dismissal marks the latest development in a saga that has been unfolding since March.
Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman, was asleep in her home when plainclothes police officers executed a narcotics drug warrant previously secured by Jaynes. On March 13, Cosgrove, along with Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Det. Brett Hankison, entered the home that Taylor shared with her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker.
After police breached the door, Walker, fearing a home invasion, fired his weapon, prompting the officers to return fire. Amid the volley of bullets, Taylor was struck and killed, with two of the sixteen shots fired by Cosgrove found lodged in her body. Hankison, who was already fired, was indicted by a grand jury.
Taylor’s death sparked outcry from social justice groups that claimed that her killing was racially motivated. Black Lives Matter, perhaps the most prominent racial justice group known for its blanket condemnations of officer-involved shootings, mourned her death in several tweets and issued calls to action.
“It has been two months since the murder of #BreonnaTaylor in her own home by police. We will continue to put pressure on the Louisville prosecutor to hold the officers accountable,” the group tweeted in May, hyperlinking to a letter that followers can sign demanding that the officers involved face charges.
It has been two months since the murder of #BreonnaTaylor in her own home by police. We will continue to put pressure on the Louisville prosecutor to hold the officers accountable. Sign this letter. #blacklivesmatter https://t.co/SMJf0Ajjns #SayHerName
— Black Lives Matter (@Blklivesmatter) May 14, 2020
The Louisville Metro Police Department did not immediately return a request for comment.
