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Police in Grand Rapids, Michigan released video footage of a routine traffic stop earlier this month that resulted in an officer fatally shooting Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Black man.
On Wednesday, the Grand Rapids Police Department held apress conferencewhere footage of the traffic stop was shown to reporters. Police Chief Eric Winstrom said the footage is unedited butincludes portions that are blurredto maintain the officer’s privacy.
The officer, who is currently on paid leave with suspended police powers, will not be identified unless criminal charges are made, Winstrom added.
The traffic stop took place around 8 a.m. on April 4 when Lyoya was pulled over in a residential neighborhood for improper vehicle registration, according to authorities. Footage shows Lyoya, seemingly confused, exiting the vehicle before the officer tells him to get back in the vehicle and questioning if he speaks English.
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The video then shows the officer tackling Lyoya to the ground and telling him to “stop resisting.” As Lyoya gets up, the officer fires his taser and is heard saying, “Let go of the taser.” Winstrom said the taser was fired twice but it did not hit anyone.
The police chief said Lyoya was shot in the head. Winstrom also declined to comment on whether or not the officer involved was using force that was aligned with policy. The Michigan State Police is now conducting an investigation of the incident.
“It should be noted that Patrick never used violence against this officer, even though the officer used violence against him in several instances for what was a misdemeanor traffic stop,” Crump added.
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On Wednesday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shared her condolences to Lyoya’s family and requested that any demonstrations held in response to the fatal shooting be peaceful.
“The Michigan State Police will conduct a transparent, independent investigation of the shooting,” Whitmer said in astatement. “Then, prosecutors must consider all the evidence, follow the law and take appropriate action on charges. Justice is foundational to safety, and without justice, we are all less safe.”
“We must come together and build a future where Black Michiganders are afforded equal rights, dignity, and safety in our communities,” she added.
Specifically in Grand Rapids, the outlet found that the relationship between the police and Black community has been strained for years following a series of incidents where police were reportedly not disciplined for interactions with innocent residents.
Data from 2020 also revealed that Black residents in Grand Rapidshad less trustin local police than their white and Hispanic counterparts.
source: people.com
