Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced Thursday that Christopher Schurr, a Grand Rapids, Michigan, police officer who fatally shot Patrick Lyoya in April, has been charged with one count of second-degree murder, according to USA Today.
As Blavity previously reported, Schurr has been on administrative leave since the shooting. His identity was confirmed by Police Chief Eric Winstrom on April 25.
According to USA Today, footage showed Schurr pulling over Lyoya on April 4 in Grand Rapids. In the video, Lyoya appeared to be confused by what Schurr was saying, and after exiting the car, he was ordered by Schurr to get back in and show him his driver’s license.
A chase later ensued through nearby homes, after which Schurr tackled Lyoya. Videos catch Schurr telling Lyoya to “stop” and “let go of the taser.”
Seconds later, Schurr was on top of Lyoya and held his face down to the ground. As Blavity previously reported, Schurr grabbed his gun and fired a single shot into the back of Lyoya’s head.
The fatal shooting was first investigated by the Michigan State Police, but was later handed to the Kent County prosecutor.
Lyoya’s family, along with attorneys and Rev. Al Sharpton, have pushed for Schurr to be charged. The family’s civil rights attorney, Ben Crump, referred to Lyoya’s killing as an “execution,” and called for Schurr to be “terminated for engaging in unnecessary, excessive use of deadly force.”
