GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Lawmakers and local leaders are reacting to Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker’s decision to charge the officer who shot and killed Patrick Lyoya.
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced Officer Christopher Schurr is being charged with second-degree murder for the shooting death of Lyoya.
The 26-year-old was shot in the back of the head by Officer Christopher Schurr the morning of April 4 near Griggs and Nelson on the city's southeast side.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released the following statement after the announcement:
FOX 17 reached out to the Grand Rapids Police Officer's Association, who replied: "No comment other than the GRPOA is standing with Chris."
Representative Andy Levin tweeted the following message:
My heart is with Patrick Lyoya's family. Though I am relieved to see the police officer who took Patrick's life charged with murder, true justice would mean Patrick would still be with his loved ones today.
— Rep. Andy Levin (@RepAndyLevin) June 9, 2022
The NAACP Grand Rapids branch released the following statement ahead of a 4 p.m. press conference Thursday:
Former Michigan Congressman Justin Amash tweeted the following message:
Christopher Schurr, the Grand Rapids police officer who fatally shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head, has been charged with second-degree murder.
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) June 9, 2022
This is an appropriate charge, evident from the moment the videos were released.
National Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump responded to Becker's decision with the following statement:
Crump later also released a joint statement with Ven Johnson, who both represent the Lyoya family:
John E. Johnson Jr., Executive Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights released the following statement:
Senator Winnie Brinks from Grand Rapids also released a statement:
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes released this statement:
Here's a statement from the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus regarding the charges:
Schurr's defense attorneys released the following statement:
Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon released the following statement:
Dixon goes on to say:
Click here for more coverage on the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya.
