PONTIAC, Mich., April 14, 2022 — Officials from the Grand Rapids Police Department released the body-cam footage yesterday of the officer involved in the fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya, 26, on April 4. After pulling over Lyoya for a license plate issue, the video shows the police officer, who has not yet been named, physically accosting, then chasing a fleeing, unarmed Lyoya down and, after a prolonged struggle, fatally shooting him. State Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) issued the following statement:
“A family will never be the same after a rogue police officer took the life of Patrick Lyoya. A father will have to live in a world without his son, and his 2-year-old and 3-month-old will no longer be able to see their father’s smile. Nobody’s life should ever be taken in such an unjust matter, especially by the people who are sworn to protect them. My heart grieves for the Lyoya families, as I too lost a son and a nephew to senseless violence. There needs to be justice and accountability, but without consequences and faith that laws will protect Black men during encounters with the police, we can expect other rogue police officers to keep playing judge, jury and executioner. We will work in the Legislature to ensure that this never happens again in Michigan.”