Protesters took to the streets Thursday evening in response to the declaration of a mistrial in the case of former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr.
After nearly 21 hours of deliberation, the jury came to a deadlock and was unable to decide whether Schurr was guilty of second-degree murder against Congolese refugee Patrick Lyoya. Prosecutor Chris Becker has yet to make a decision on a retrial.
The fatal shooting of Lyoya occurred on April 4, 2022, after he was pulled over by Schurr for a plate violation. Video footage shows Schurr pursuing Lyoya as he attempted to flee. Following a struggle over Schurr’s taser, the officer shot Lyoya in the back of the head while he was pinned to the ground.
During the trial, which began on April 28, Schurr’s defense team maintained the officer was fearful for his life. According to The Detroit News, Schurr believed if he hadn’t shot Lyoya, he could have died. The officer took to the stand to plead innocence, saying the killing was self-defense.
Schurr claimed he could’ve been harmed if his Taser was used against him, despite it already being fired twice. The prosecution attempted to convey that while the Taser could have been dangerous, the threat to Schurr was less serious than when someone is hit by darts.
According to WOOD-TV, Becker told the jury that Schurr made critical mistakes after he pulled over Lyoya. He said Lyoya never posed a threat to Schurr, even if he had gained control of the Taser.
“What this boils down to is this was unjustifiable and unreasonable,” Becker said. “It was a crime.”
Throughout the trial, supporters of both Schurr and the Lyoya family gathered outside the Kent County Courthouse. Nearly 100 community members protested after the mistrial declaration to speak out in the hopes that Becker will retry the case.
Longtime activist Erykai Cage shared her grievances with the mistrial and her dissatisfaction with the case’s handling. Cage tirelessly protested throughout the trial’s duration, and is the cousin of Breonna Taylor and Samuel Sterling.
“This is just further proof the justice system is unjust,” Cage said. “Where is the justice for Black people? Right now, the Lyoya family is heartbroken because they will never be the same. Patrick will never get his justice because he is dead and (Schurr) is free.”
Many activists have been rallying for answers and justice in Lyoya’s case for the past three years, enduring run-ins with supporters of Schurr and GRPD. Lakyra Price-Sanders, who was arrested during protests the first day of the trial, wasn’t surprised the case resulted in a hung jury.
“I really think it’s important that people are speaking up and remaining steadfast throughout all these years on this and everything happening around the nation,” Lakyra Price-Sanders said. “You know, we are the best in numbers.”
Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack spoke at the rally. Womack expressed support for protesters and his hope for policy change.
“It feels good to see so many people (supporting) Patrick Lyoya,” said Womack. “A hung jury was something we didn’t want to see, but inevitably, we did. (I believe the mistrial) should open the door for GRPD and Grand Rapids to understand there needs to be some major change in the polices. Until there’s a major change and this community can see some changes, we’re going to continue to see marches and protests.”
Former Kent County Commissioner Ivan Diaz also reflected on the trial.
“We were kind of expecting the worst,” said Diaz. “I personally think this is what happens when three years (have) passed since the event itself happened. I definitely hope the prosecutor has or will decide to retry the case and I think we need to change the system around how we hold police accountable.”
As protesters made their way through the city, chanting phrases such as “Whose streets? Our streets” and “You can’t stop the revolution, GRPD is not the solution,” police officers loomed closely.
Toward the end of the protest, dozens of officers surrounded protesters as they blocked off the intersection of Lyon Street and Ottawa Avenue NW. In an attempt to direct traffic, police pushed protesters onto the sidewalks and deployed pepper spray.
S.J., a community member who chose not to share their full name due to safety reasons, was left without wheelchair access to the sidewalk after officers refused to let them use the accessibility ramp.
“I was trying to get on the sidewalk through the ramp area in my wheelchair and an officer grabbed the wheelchair,” said S.J. “I asked him to let go (and) he would not let go, and then I got flipped into a wheelie.”
Officers also separated and arrested Quinn, S.J.’s caregiver, who S.J. says was helping them navigate the march.
Many Grand Rapids residents are awaiting a response from the prosecution and are trying to navigate their next steps.
