Photo: GoFundMe
Grand Rapids Police Department has released the video footage of Patrick Lyoya's April 4 traffic stop where he was shot and killed by an officer.
After the Lyoya family demanded that video of the fatal shooting be released, on Wednesday (April 13), police in Grand Rapids, Michigan released police body camera, dashcam, cell phone, and home surveillance footage, CNN reports.
According to the department, 26-year-old Lyoya was shot in the back of the head by a cop after a "lengthy struggle" over the officer's taser. However, after watching the footage, the Lyoya family believes he was killed "execution-style."
The deadly encounter started with police pulling over Lyoya for a traffic stop. In the video, Lyoya can be seen getting out of his car seemingly confused about why he was pulled over.
The two are seen standing around for a minute before Lyoya takes a few steps to the side. The incident begins to escalate when the officer grabs the victim's wrist, and in response, Lyoya pulls his arm and tries to run.
The officer then chases after Lyoya and tackles him to the ground. The video shows the officer on top of Lyoya yelling at him to stop resisting.
Lyoya seems to comply, but for an unknown reason, the officer attempts to tase Lyoya. After trying to stop the taser, Lyoya laid helplessly face down on the ground, and the cop shot the back of his head.
The Lyoya family's attorney Benjamin Crump, who represented George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, has called for the Grand Rapids officer to be fired and charged.
“Patrick Lyoya immigrated to the United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to pursue the American Dream and provide a better and safer life for himself and his family," Crump said in a statement. "Instead, what found him was a fatal bullet to the back of the head, delivered by an officer of the Grand Rapids Police Department."
The civil rights attorney continued, "The video clearly shows that this was an unnecessary, excessive, and fatal use of force against an unarmed Black man who was confused by the encounter and terrified for his life."
Peter Mashingo Lyoya, the victim's father, said in a statement, “I cannot wish another parent like me, White or Black, to go through the situation I went through to lose my son.” He added, “And I want the entire world to know and to see the way that my son was killed and why he was killed.”
Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstrom said in a statement that the officer who shot and killed Lyoya would not be named unless there are criminal charges. Michigan State Police are currently investigating the deadly incident, and once their investigation is complete, the Kent County prosecutor will decide on the charges, CNN reports.
Reading about Black trauma can have an impact on your mental health. If you or someone you know need immediate mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. These additional resources are also available:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
The National Alliance on Mental Illness 1-800-950-6264
The Association of Black Psychologists 1-301-449-3082
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America 1-240-485-1001
For more mental health resources, click HERE.
Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.