Video Shows Patrick Lyoya was fatally shot by a Grand Rapids police officer
GRPD released video on Wednesday showing one of its officers fatally shooting 26-year-old Black man Patrick Lyoya after an encounter with police earlier this month.
On the 4th of April, a shooting occurred in Grand Rapids. When a “lengthy” fight, Grand Rapids police say Lyoya was shot and killed after he tried to run away from an officer, fearing that he would be jailed. No one has been named as the cop involved in this incident.
Body-cam footage, a nearby home’s security video and cell phone video from the driver of the car with Lyoya were all included in the explicit video released on Wednesday.
Officers stop Lyoya because his licence plates aren’t registered to his vehicle, as seen in the video. After being directed to get back in his car by an officer, Lyoya can be seen getting out of his vehicle. The officer can be seen chatting to Lyoya and requesting that he obtain a driver’s licence in the video. He speaks to the passenger after opening the door. A little pushing and shoving ensues as he slams the door behind him and appears to be trying to flee the police.
The officer pursues Lyoya and tackles him to the ground on a nearby yard, where he continues to flee. A police officer is constantly telling Lyoya to “stop resisting” as the two of them continue to fight.
A Taser gun is then pulled out by the cop, who fires it at Lyoya (who was unharmed by the Taser), who appears to grasp the gun.
While Lyoya was lying on the ground face down, the officer pointed his revolver at his back, telling him to “let go” of the Taser gun. Before he shoots him in the head, he urges Lyoya to release the Taser gun once again. Lyoya was never armed with anything that could have killed her.
As a result, Grand Rapids police showed the entire 20-minute video to the public, and claimed they are not responsible for evaluating whether or not the use of force is legal. In a statement, the police chief refused to identify the officer involved, but said that the person had been placed on leave.
While the incident is being reviewed by the Michigan State Police and the Kent County Prosecution’s Office for possible charges, no decisions are expected this week. Dr. Stephen Cohle, Kent County’s chief medical examiner, said the autopsy was performed the day of Lyoya’s death, but toxicology results have not been made public. State police have not finished their investigation, he said, and the full report will not be revealed until they have done so.
