Jury deadlocked in case against former Grand Rapids police officer
LANSING, Mich., May 8, 2025 — The case against Christopher Schurr ended in a mistrial today following three days of deliberation. This charge stemmed from his 2022 fatal shooting of a motorist, Patrick Lyoya. In light of the mistrial, the county prosecutor must decide whether to try the case again in front of a new jury or drop the charges. After the announcement, state Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) issued the following statement:
“First, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the Lyoya family. The grief they have carried over the past three years is immeasurable, and a mistrial only prolongs their pain and uncertainty. Patrick Lyoya’s death is a tragedy — a young life lost in a way that shook our community and our conscience. Today’s outcome will undoubtedly be difficult for many across Grand Rapids and Michigan. A mistrial leaves critical questions unresolved and emotions raw. For countless people, this case reflects deeper concerns about justice, accountability and the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect, especially communities of color.
“I call on prosecutor Christopher R. Becker to start the process for a retrial as soon as possible and urge everyone to respond to this moment with peace, compassion and strength. Let us honor Patrick Lyoya’s memory by continuing to push for justice and the systemic reforms needed to prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again. As we move forward, I remain committed to working with lawmakers, community advocates and law enforcement leaders to make sure our law enforcement officers have the training they need to effectively de-escalate tense situations, the resources they need to adequately staff their department so backup can be there when the situation calls for it and policies in place that prevent pursuits from ending in death. The road ahead might be difficult, but we must not lose sight of our shared responsibility to create a safer, more just future for all.”
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