Michigan police officer identified in fatal shooting of Black man

(Reuters) – Authorities on Monday recognized Christopher Schurr because the police officer who fatally shot Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Black man, throughout a visitors cease in Grand Rapids, Michigan, earlier this month, days after his household and mourners referred to as for him to be named at a memorial service.

“Within the curiosity of transparency, to cut back on-going hypothesis, and to keep away from any additional confusion, I’m confirming the identify already publicly circulating – Christopher Schurr – because the officer concerned within the April 4 Officer Concerned Capturing,” Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom stated.

The assertion comes nearly two weeks after legislation enforcement made video footage of the killing accessible to the general public. Winstrom added that the division would launch extra data concerning the incident later this week.

Schurr is presently on administrative depart because the Michigan State Police examine whether or not he ought to face felony expenses. The division didn’t say how lengthy he has served on the drive, although native media MLive reported he has been with the division for seven years.

Lyoya’s household is asking for authorities to dismiss the officer from the drive and file felony expenses in opposition to him.

Lyoya, who was driving on April 4, was pulled over by the officer who stated he ran the automotive’s license plate and that it didn’t match the car, in response to the launched video.

It exhibits Lyoya stepping out of the automotive and seemingly confused because the policeman repeatedly asks for a driver’s license and orders him to get again contained in the car.

Lyoya then makes an attempt to stroll away because the officer makes an attempt to handcuff him.

Following a brief foot chase, the 2 males grapple on the garden, at one level wrestling over the officer’s stun gun. Schurr then drew his gun whereas on high of Lyoya and fired one shot at the back of his head, video footage exhibits.

A forensic pathologist who carried out an unbiased post-mortem on Lyoya stated he was shot as soon as by a gun that was held to the again of his head.

The loss of life of Lyoya, a Congolese refugee, touched off protests in Grand Rapids by activists who say it represents the most recent instance of police violence in opposition to younger Black males.

Civil rights legal professional Ben Crump got here to symbolize the Lyoya household whereas civil rights activist Al Sharpton delivered a eulogy for Lyoya on Friday.

“That’s now scientific proof of this tragic killing the place his household believes was an execution,” Crump stated of the post-mortem.

(Reporting by Tyler Clifford; Enhancing by Frank McGurty and Aurora Ellis)