Police identified the officer who shot and killed Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old black man, during an April 4 traffic stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, spurring calls for accountability.
Christopher Schurr, the officer, will remain on administrative leave until Michigan State Police concludes its investigation “into potential criminal charges” and Grand Rapids Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit completes its investigation “to determine whether all applicable department policies were followed,” GRPD Chief Eric Winstrom said in a statement Monday.
Rev. Al Sharpton demanded Michigan authorities identify the officer who killed Lyoya while speaking to a crowd of roughly 1,000 people at Lyoya’s funeral in Grand Rapids on Friday.
“I’m glad they finally released his name after having national pressure from national leadership coming to Grand Rapids,” said Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack, according to MLive.com.
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The city of Grand Rapids typically withholds the names of employees who are under investigation, but city management, GRPD, the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability, and the Human Resources Department will assess this practice and “may explore potential adjustments going forward,” according to Winstrom’s statement.
— Chief Eric Winstrom (@GRChiefWinstrom) April 25, 2022
An independent autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Werner Spitz on Lyoya’s body found he had been shot in the back of his head by Schurr. Lyoya was “conscious and aware” that a gun was being held to his head, Spitz’s report said.
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Footage released by police on April 13 showed Lyoya exiting his car and attempting to flee from Schurr during a traffic stop on April 4. After a lengthy struggle between the two, Schurr pinned Lyoya to the ground and discharged his Taser. Schurr is then heard screaming at Lyoya to “let go of the Taser” before pulling out his gun and shooting him.
The death of Lyoya prompted protests in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as calls for the officer to be fired and charged. Lyoya’s family members have accused the police officer of killing him “execution style,” according to NBC News.
