GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and the family of Patrick Lyoya hosted a news conference Thursday. They called for the firing of the officer who shot and killed Patrick and want him to face charges.
The press conference came one day after the Grand Rapids Police Department released video footage of an officer shooting Patrick in the head.
During the press conference, Ben Crump and the Lyoya family were joined by attorney Ven Johnson and Breonna Taylor's mother.
“You see a police officer escalate a minor traffic stop into a deadly execution,” Crump said about the videos.
Crump said the officer should be fired and charged with Patrick's death.
“Based on what we see in that video, we believe that this officer should be terminated for engaging in unnecessary excessive use of deadly force,” Crump said.
Crump went on to say that "equal justice requires it."
“You cannot shoot an unarmed person just because they resist,” Crump said. “And you cannot shoot an unarmed person just because of the color of their skin.”
GRPD said the deadly shooting happened on Monday, April 4, after what police described as a lengthy struggle.
After a struggle over the officer’s taser that lasted approximately 90 seconds, the officer shot Lyoya once in the head.
Cell phone footage from a witness shows the officer shooting Lyoya in the head after telling him to let go of the taser.
Crump released a statement following the release of the videos.
“Patrick Lyoya immigrated to the United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to pursue the American Dream and provide a better and safer life for himself and his family. Instead, what found him was a fatal bullet to the back of the head, delivered by an officer of the Grand Rapids Police Department. The video clearly shows that this was an unnecessary, excessive, and fatal use of force against an unarmed Black man who was confused by the encounter and terrified for his life. It should be noted that Patrick never used violence against this officer even though the officer used violence against him in several instances for what was a misdemeanor traffic stop.
“We demand that the officer who killed Patrick not only be terminated for his use of excessive and fatal force, but be arrested and prosecuted for the violent killing of Patrick Lyoya.”
How we got here:
Man shot, killed by officer during traffic stop in Grand Rapids
Man identified in Grand Rapids officer-involved shooting
Family demands answers, remembers life of man killed in GR officer-involved shooting
GRPD Chief on delaying release of video: this is not a cover-up
Kent County prosecutor: GRPD can share video of officer-involved shooting without his approval
‘I’m bleeding. I’m hurt:’ Father wants video of deadly officer-involved shooting released
Hundreds march against killing of Patrick Lyoya by a Grand Rapids police officer
Vigil for Patrick Lyoya, man who died after being shot by GR police officer
National and local leaders hold forum after Patrick Lyoya shot and killed by GR police officer
Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump calling for police video of Lyoya’s death to be released
Officer who killed Patrick Lyoya has not been interviewed 1 week after shooting
GR Mayor speaks after death of Patrick Lyoya, asks community to trust the process
Group plans to march to Grand Rapids City Commission meeting following shooting death of Patrick Lyoya
Multiple videos of deadly officer-involved shooting to be released
Barricade goes up outside Grand Rapids Police headquarters
Group marches to Grand Rapids City Commission meeting
People demand answers at GR City Commission meeting following Lyoya death
What we know ahead of GRPD 3 p.m. video release of Patrick Lyoya killing by officer
Kent County medical examiner releases statement regarding Patrick Lyoya's autopsy
Video footage shows GRPD officer shoot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head
Protesters hold 4+ hour protest in downtown Grand Rapids following video release of Patrick Lyoya shooting death
NAACP says death of Patrick Lyoya ‘was just straight up murder’
Attorney: Officer who shot & killed Patrick Lyoya should be charged with homicide
