PATRICK LYOYA

A former Michigan police officer who shot a Black motorist in the back of the head during a struggle over a Taser should not have to stand trial, the defendant's attorneys argued as they urged a judge to dismiss the case. Ex-Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Patrick Lyoya. On Monday, Schurr's attorneys filed a motion seeking to toss out a ruling that a jury trial should be held in the case, news outlets reported.

DETROIT — (AP) — A white Grand Rapids police officer who shot and killed a Black motorist during a traffic stop last spring had no reason to pull him over, attorneys for the motorist's family said after filing a federal civil rights lawsuit Wednesday. The lawsuit, which seeks $100 million and was filed on behalf of Lyoya's family, accuses Schurr of using unnecessary, illegal and excessive force against Lyoya and showing gross negligence. The traffic stop and parts of the ensuing struggle between Schurr and Lyoya were captured by the dashboard camera on Schurr’s patrol car and his body camera. But during the news conference, Johnson and Crump said the traffic stop only happened because Lyoya was Black. Johnson said the footage showed that Schurr only stopped Lyoya after they drove by one another and Schurr did a U-turn to follow Lyoya.

Attorneys for the family of a Black motorist who was shot and killed by a white police officer during a traffic stop in Michigan's second-largest city, Grand Rapids, say the officer had no reason to pull him over.

The family of Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese refugee, had demanded justice for what they called an execution.

A former Michigan police officer who shot a Black motorist in the back of the head will stand trial for second-degree murder, a judge said Monday. A jury will decide whether Christopher Schurr 's use of deadly force was necessary "after a full and fair trial," Ayoub said. Lyoya, 26, briefly ran from a traffic stop then grappled with Schurr across a front lawn before the white officer shot him at point-blank range. The final moment was recorded on video by a man who was a passenger in the car with Lyoya. Schurr's attorney argued Friday that the officer was defending himself while Lyoya wouldn't give up.

A former Michigan police officer who shot a Black motorist in the back of the head will stand trial for second-degree murder.

A former Michigan police officer who shot a Black motorist in the back of the head will stand trial for second-degree murder, a judge said Monday. Judge Nicholas Ayoub announced his decision after hearing testimony last week and seeing video about the death of Patrick Lyoya in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A jury will decide whether Christopher Schurr 's use of deadly force was necessary “after a full and fair trial,” Ayoub said.

A former Michigan police officer who shot a Black motorist in the back of the head will stand trial for second-degree murder, a judge said Monday. Judge Nicholas Ayoub announced his decision after hearing testimony last week and seeing video about the death of Patrick Lyoya in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A jury will decide whether Christopher Schurr 's use of deadly force was necessary “after a full and fair trial,” Ayoub said.

Officer Christopher Schurr waived his right to a hearing after being charged in Patrick Lyoya's murder after a traffic stop on April 4.

(Emily Rose Bennett/The Grand Rapids Press via AP, File) (Emily Rose Bennett)DETROIT — (AP) — A Michigan police officer charged with murder after shooting Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head has been fired, officials said Wednesday. Christopher Schurr, a Grand Rapids officer for seven years, waived his right to a hearing and was dismissed, effective last Friday, said City Manager Mark Washington. Schurr's dismissal was recommended by police Chief Eric Winstrom after a second-degree murder charge was filed Thursday. Grand Rapids, population about 200,000, is 160 miles (260 kilometers) west of Detroit. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

(Emily Rose Bennett/The Grand Rapids Press via AP, File) (Emily Rose Bennett)DETROIT — (AP) — A Michigan police officer charged with murder after shooting Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head has been fired, officials said Wednesday. Christopher Schurr, a Grand Rapids officer for seven years, waived his right to a hearing and was dismissed, effective last Friday, said City Manager Mark Washington. Defense attorneys said the officer feared for his safety when he shot Lyoya. Grand Rapids, population about 200,000, is 160 miles (260 kilometers) west of Detroit. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The announcement was praised by critics who for weeks had said that Michigan's Democratic attorney general should take over. I didn't expect that," said Cle Jackson, president of the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP, who previously had said that an unbiased investigation by Becker's office was not possible. “A Black man would not get any chance of parole,” Jalauna Williams, 20, of Grand Rapids, said. Becker was asked by a reporter if he was trying to send a message to police with the murder charge. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Police Shooting Michigan Naiara Tamminga, 13, holds a fist in the air during a moment of silence for Patrick Lyoya outside of Grand Rapids Police Department in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Thursday, June 9, 2022. He has been held their since turning himself Thursday, when Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker announced his decision to charge Schurr. Schurr, who is white, told Lyoya that he stopped his car because the license plate didn’t match the vehicle. “This is going to be a difficult time for the police department,” he said after the murder charge was announced. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Police Shooting Michigan Naiara Tamminga, 13, holds a fist in the air during a moment of silence for Patrick Lyoya outside of Grand Rapids Police Department in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Thursday, June 9, 2022. (Joel Bissell/The Grand Rapids Press via AP) (Joel Bissell)GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — (AP) — A judge set bond at $100,000 for a Michigan police officer charged with second-degree murder in the shooting of Patrick Lyoya. Lyoya was on the ground when Schurr shot the 26-year-old refugee from Congo in the back of the head following a traffic stop on April 4. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker announced his decision Thursday to file the charge against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, who killed Lyoya minutes after a traffic stop on April 4. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Police Shooting Michigan Naiara Tamminga, 13, holds a fist in the air during a moment of silence for Patrick Lyoya outside of Grand Rapids Police Department in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker announced his decision Thursday to file the charge against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, who killed Lyoya minutes after a traffic stop on April 4. Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said he would recommend Schurr be fired, though he is entitled to a hearing and the ultimate decision would be up to the city manager. The shooting turned into an immediate crisis for Winstrom, who was a commander in Chicago before taking charge in Grand Rapids early in March. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

A Michigan prosecutor who charged a police officer with murder in the shooting of Patrick Lyoya is being praised by some of his early critics.

Here’s a look at the outcomes of other high-profile killings by police:Garner, a 43-year-old Black man, died in July 2014 in New York City after a white officer placed him in a chokehold when he refused to be handcuffed for allegedly selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. Gray, a 25-year-old Black man, died in 2015 after he suffered a spinal injury while handcuffed and shackled in a Baltimore police van. Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man, fell asleep in his car in an Atlanta restaurant drive-thru lane in June 2020. Eight-year-old Fanta died Aug. 27 when three police officers fired into a crowd exiting a high school football game near Philadelphia. Smith, a 32-year-old Black man, was fatally shot in a Minneapolis parking ramp by members of a U.S.

A Michigan police officer has been charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head as the Black man was on the ground.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said Schurr has turned himself in and will be arraigned tomorrow.

Prosecutor Chris Becker announced charges Thursday against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, weeks after Patrick Lyoya was killed.

Police Shooting Michigan FILE - Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker speaks during a press conference at the Grand Rapids Police Department, Wednesday, April 11, 2018 in Grand Rapids, Mich. (Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press via AP, File) (Cory Morse)GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — (AP) — The Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Black man who was on the ground when he was shot in the back of the head, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder. Prosecutor Chris Becker announced charges Thursday against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, weeks after Lyoya was killed following a chaotic traffic stop on April 4. “You will not see any celebration on behalf of the Lyoya family,” Johnson said. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Video of the encounter, in which an officer shot Lyoya in the head after a struggle during a traffic stop, sparked national outrage and calls for the officer to be charged.

Police Shooting Michigan FILE - Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker speaks during a press conference at the Grand Rapids Police Department, Wednesday, April 11, 2018 in Grand Rapids, Mich. (Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press via AP, File) (Cory Morse)GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — (AP) — A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, with a shot to the back of his head has been charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutor Chris Becker announced charges Thursday against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, weeks after Lyoya was killed following a chaotic traffic stop on April 4. “You will not see any celebration on behalf of the Lyoya family,” Johnson said. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Kent County prosecutor Christopher Becker did not hint whether charges would be brought against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, who has been placed on administrative leave after he killed Lyoya on April 4.

Police Shooting Michigan FILE - Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker speaks during a press conference at the Grand Rapids Police Department, Wednesday, April 11, 2018 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker gave no hints Wednesday, saying only that he would disclose his “charging decision” at an afternoon news conference in Grand Rapids. Lyoya, 26, a refugee from Congo, was killed by Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr after a traffic stop on April 4. Lyoya was on the ground when Schurr shot him. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya with a shot to the back of the Black man’s head has been charged with second-degree murder.

Police officers in some cities are being told not to stop drivers for minor infractions.

Virtual Reality Taser VR equipment and a version of the TASER 7 that utilizes VR technology for training, is demonstrated, Thursday, May 12, 2022, in Washington. The virtual reality training, which uses headsets, wrist controllers, and an officer’s actual Taser with a special virtual reality cartridge, is assembled in a small duffel bag, giving police departments the ability to implement the training during roll calls or for officers at a police station, between calls. For many police departments, training simulators have proved costly and required two-dimension displays being built in a police academy or other building. The training program will be expanded, and Axon has already started creating another scenario that incorporates the Taser training in a scenario of a call for domestic abuse. “This virtual reality training gives the officer a chance to experience an incident from multiple perspectives,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in an interview.

The company best known for developing the Taser is expanding virtual reality and immersive training to help encourage police officers across the U.S. to more regularly train with less-than-lethal weapons.

A prosecutor said Wednesday that he will only decide whether to charge a white Michigan police officer in last month's fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, after he finishes discussing it with experts. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker acknowledged that the “investigation appears to be moving painstakingly slowly,” six weeks after Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr shot Lyoya in the back of the head during a struggle. “In this situation, my decision can only be made by taking the time to gather all the available information, both from (state police) and from state and national experts.”

"I'm asking for justice," says Peter Lyoya, whose son Patrick Lyoya, 26, was fatally shot by Grand Rapids police officer, Christopher Schurr, 31, during a traffic stop last month.

The man killed by a Grand Rapids police officer had just moved into his own place and was ready to settle down.

Police Shooting Michigan A TV display shows video evidence of a Grand Rapids police officer struggling with and shooting Patrick Lyoya at Grand Rapids City Hall on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Lyoya, 26, was shot and killed about 8:10 a.m., on April 4, after what police said was a traffic stop. Records released Friday by Grand Rapids police show Christopher Schurr received more than a dozen letters of recognition since becoming an officer in 2015. The contract between Grand Rapids and the police union allows expungement of older records if officers complete two years without a disciplinary action. Lyoya, 26, was on the ground when Schurr shot him after demanding that he take his hand off the officer's Taser, according to video.

A Michigan police officer who shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head had no complaints of excessive force against him, according to his personnel file.

The union said on Facebook that it "stands with Officer Schurr and will continue to give him and his family whatever support they need."

Police Shooting Michigan This undated photo provided by Ben Crump Law shows Patrick Lyoya. The union representing police officers in a Michigan city is defending the officer who shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head. "(photo courtesy of Ben Crump Law via AP) (Uncredited)GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — (AP) — The union representing police officers in a Michigan city is defending the officer who shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head. Schurr told Lyoya that he had stopped the vehicle because the license plate didn't match the car. The union said on Facebook that it "stands with Officer Schurr and will continue to give him and his family whatever support they need."

The union representing police officers in a Michigan city is defending the officer who shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head.

Grand Rapids, Michigan, police have identified Christopher Schurr as the officer who fatally shot Patrick Lyoya three weeks ago.

Christopher Schurr, an officer with the Grand Rapids Police Department for seven years, shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head during a traffic stop this month, prompting weeks of protests.

Police Shooting Michigan A TV display shows video evidence of a Grand Rapids police officer struggling with and shooting Patrick Lyoya at Grand Rapids City Hall on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Grand Rapids Police Department) (Uncredited)GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — (AP) — A Michigan police chief reversed course Monday and publicly identified the officer who fatally shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head during an April 4 traffic stop. The Grand Rapids officer is Christopher Schurr, Chief Eric Winstrom said. Lyoya, 26, a Black man and native of Congo, was killed after a struggle with the white officer. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Grand Rapids, Michigan, police have identified Christopher Schurr as the officer who killed Patrick Lyoya three weeks ago.

A Michigan police chief reversed course Monday and publicly identified the officer who fatally shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head during an April 4 traffic stop. The Grand Rapids officer is Christopher Schurr, Chief Eric Winstrom said. Lyoya, 26, a Black man and native of Congo, was killed after a struggle with the white officer.

Al Sharpton demanded Friday that authorities publicly identify the Michigan officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Black man and native of Congo who was fatally shot in the back of the head after a struggle. “Every time a young Black man or woman is arrested in this town, you put their name all over the news. Sharpton and Crump have frequently joined with mourners to speak at the funerals of Black people killed by police. Attorneys for the Lyoya family have said they believe video collected and released by police shows Lyoya was resisting the officer, not fighting him. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Video of Lyoya's death has reignited protests over racial injustice. For those who knew him, he's remembered as a son, brother and father — a person of faith whose life was inextricably shaped by war.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — (AP) — Mourners will gather Friday at the funeral for Patrick Lyoya, a Black man who was fatally shot in the back of the head after a traffic stop and struggle with a white police officer in Michigan. An unarmed Lyoya, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was face down on the ground when he was shot April 4. Earlier, the officer is heard saying that the license plate did not match the car Lyoya had been driving. Attorneys for the Lyoya family have said they believe video collected and released by police shows was resisting the officer, not fighting him. His parents have called the shooting an “execution.”___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The Rev. Al Sharpton is demanding that authorities release the name of the Michigan officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Black man and native of Congo who was fatally shot in the back of the head after a struggle.

The April 4 killing of Congolese refugee Patrick Lyoya has returned protesters to city streets and reinvigorated long-simmering concerns over the Grand Rapids Police Department’s treatment of people of color.

“You never see a fist, you never see a knife, no baseball bat, no gun, no nothin’,” Ven Johnson said. “We can confirm that Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of his head,” attorney Ben Crump said. Lyoya, who wasn’t armed, was killed after a traffic stop in Grand Rapids in western Michigan. Lyoya's funeral is planned for Friday at Renaissance Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing the family of Patrick Lyoya, who was shot and killed by a GRPD officer on April 4. “We can confirm that Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of his head,” attorney Ben Crump said. Grand Rapids police spokeswoman Jennifer Kalczuk declined to comment. Lyoya's funeral is planned for Friday at Renaissance Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Lyoya, who was not armed, was killed after a traffic stop in western Michigan on April 4.

Lyoya, who was not armed, was killed after a traffic stop in western Michigan on April 4.

Police departments across the U.S. have faced scrutiny for withholding identities of officers in cases where Black people were wounded or killed during interactions with police.

The finding by a former medical examiner matches what was seen last week on video released by the Grand Rapids police chief. The official autopsy report hasn't been released to the public.

The finding by a former Detroit-area medical examiner matches what was seen last week on video released by the Grand Rapids police chief.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing the family of Patrick Lyoya, who was shot and killed by a GRPD officer on April 4. (Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press via AP) (Cory Morse)DETROIT — (AP) — An independent autopsy confirms that Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, was shot in the back of the head by a Michigan police officer while facedown on the ground, lawyers for his family said Tuesday. The finding by a former Detroit-area medical examiner matches what was seen last week on video released by the Grand Rapids police chief. Lyoya's funeral is planned for Friday at Renaissance Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing the family of Patrick Lyoya, who was shot and killed by a GRPD officer on April 4. (Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press via AP) (Cory Morse)DETROIT — (AP) — Lawyers for the family of Patrick Lyoya, an unarmed Black man killed by police in western Michigan, said they will release results from an independent autopsy Tuesday. Lyoya's death has outraged his family as well as many people who have watched video of the confrontation with an officer. Lyoya's funeral is planned for Friday at Renaissance Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids. ___Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoyaCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya after a traffic stop pressed the gun against the Black man’s head when firing the fatal shot.

Police Shooting Michigan Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom, right, and Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington react as a TV display shows video evidence of a Grand Rapids police officer struggling with and shooting Patrick Lyoya at Grand Rapids City Hall on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. Others, like Grand Rapids, point to policies that prohibit the release of an officer’s name before charges are filed. The funeral for Lyoya, a native of Congo, is scheduled Friday in Grand Rapids, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Detroit. While Winstrom said he could not release the officer's name, he did release videos of the shooting, citing a need for transparency. Three days after that shooting, the Wisconsin Department of Justice issued a news release that included Officer Rusten Sheskey's name.

Others, like Grand Rapids, point to policies that prohibit the release of an officer’s name before charges are filed. The funeral for Lyoya, a native of Congo, is scheduled Friday in Grand Rapids, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Detroit. While Winstrom said he could not release the officer's name, he did release videos of the shooting, citing a need for transparency. While police still will not release an officer's name unless he's charged, the agency that reviews those shooting does so regardless. Last year, within a month of two separate fatal shootings by police, including of a 13-year-old boy, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability released officers' names.

Patrick Lyoya’s father says he and his family have a right to know the name of the white officer who fatally shot the 26-year-old Black man.

Lyoya, 26, was shot and killed about 8:10 a.m., on April 4, after what police said was a traffic stop. For a number of Black men and women, resisting arrest during encounters with police for minor traffic stops have been deadly. The struggle ended when the officer shot Lyoya in the head as Lyoya was facedown, with the officer straddling him. But that doesn’t negate that Black motorists suffer for showing or expressing their justified fears in traffic stops, he said. “Cultural narratives may lead white officers as well as Black officers to anticipate trouble when the person they are stopping is Black,” he said.

Lyoya, 26, was shot and killed about 8:10 a.m., on April 4, after what police said was a traffic stop. For a number of Black men and women, resisting arrest during encounters with police for even minor traffic stops have been deadly. The struggle ended when the officer shot Lyoya in the head as Lyoya was facedown, with the officer straddling him. But that doesn’t negate that Black motorists suffer for showing or expressing their justified fears in traffic stops, he said. “Cultural narratives may lead white officers as well as Black officers to anticipate trouble when the person they are stopping is Black,” he said.

Video shows Patrick Lyoya disobeyed an officer during an April 4 traffic stop, tried to run, then wrestled with the officer over his Taser before the officer fatally shot him in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Body camera footage of Patrick Lyoya’s fatal encounter with a Michigan police officer shows a close-up view of an intense struggle -- but the video goes dark 42 seconds before the officer shoots the Black man in the head.

Peter Lyoya brought his family from Congo to the U.S. in 2014 to escape violence.

Video shows a Michigan police officer struggling with a Black man over a Taser before fatally shooting him in the head while the man was face down on the ground.