GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The jury has returned for a second day of deliberation on Tuesday in the trial of Christopher Schurr, the former Grand Rapids police officer charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya.
On April 4, 2022, Schurr shot Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese refugee, in the back of the head during a traffic stop.
As seen through body camera and dash camera videos from the incident — as well as a cell phone video recorded by a passenger in Lyoya's car — the two had been struggling over Schurr's taser in the front yard of a residence in a southeast Grand Rapids neighborhood.
While the former officer's lawyers claim he acted self-defense, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker says Schurr's actions were not justified.
Less than a week after Lyoya's death, protesters called for racial justice in a series of large demonstrations throughout Grand Rapids. A number of reforms were later implemented within the Grand Rapids Police Department.
More than three years after the deadly shooting, a jury of Schurr's peers will now determine his guilt — or innocence — in the second-degree murder case.
The jury may also convict the former officer of voluntary manslaughter, a lesser offense.
LIVE UPDATES (Tuesday, May 6):
9:00 a.m.
Protestors of Patrick Lyoya's death clash with supporters of Christopher Schurr as both camps await a verdict in the trial.
Protesters of Patrick Lyoya’s death and supporters of Christopher Schurr clash outside 17th Circuit Court as the jury in the former officer’s second-degree murder trial continues to deliberate. pic.twitter.com/XpujSNl6Dn
— sam landstra (@samlandstra) May 6, 2025
8:30 a.m.
The jury resumes their deliberation.
6:50 a.m.
Supporters of the prosecution and defense begin to gather outside 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids.
Shooting death of Patrick Lyoya
MONDAY: Jury goes home without verdict in trial of Christopher Schurr
For FOX 17's previous coverage of the trial of Christopher Schurr and the death of Patrick Lyoya, click here.