The prosecutor in Kent County, Michigan, has charged Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop in April.
Patrick Lyoyas parents Peter Lyoya and Dorcas Lyoya pose for a portrait as they hold a photo of their son at their home in Lansing, Mich., April 15, 2022. Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of the head and killed during a traffic stop on April 4th by a Grand Rapids police officer.
"Today is the first day of what I believe to be -- and hope, pray to be -- ultimate justice for Patrick Lyoya," said Lyoya family attorney Ven Johnson in an interview with ABC News. "We've waited 65 days since the date of his death. For this decision, the family has prayed about it, talked about it, and done everything that they know how to do to encourage this."
"Our hearts are really broken," said Peter Lyoya, Patrick's father, via a translator. "We lost Patrick but the person who has killed Patrick today is still free, is working, is spending time with his family, is enjoying his family. And seeing all of this is more pain to us and is still breaking our heart."Civil right attorney Ben Crump said he was "encouraged" by the prosecutor's decision to charge Schurr.
Police Officer Christopher Schurr stops to talk with a resident in Grand Rapids, Mich., Aug. 12, 2015.Schurr shouting at Lyoya to "get back in the car" at the beginning of the footage, which was released nine days after the shooting.