Tuesday marks the one-year anniversary of the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya by former Grand Rapids Police officer Christopher Schurr.
Lyoya’s death led to a series of citywide protests after the Kent County Prosecutor’s office released camera footage that captured Officer Schurr shooting Lyoya in the back of the head as the two wrestled on the ground.
He has since been charged with 2nd Degree Murder.
Schurr is currently however, a free man, after posting bond following his surrender and arrest, something that Patrick Lyoya's family has publicly stated they take issue with as they continue to grieve their loss.
The family has also voiced frustrations over how long the process is taking in court.
That is due to the fact that Schurr’s defense team filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that Michigan law authorizes police officers to shoot a “fleeing felon,” and Patrick Lyoya was a felon who was resisting arrest.
A judge recently disagreed with that argument, and said it should be left up to a jury to decide if Schurr used reasonable force.
His defense team is currently appealing the judge’s ruling.
Meanwhile, the criminal trial is set to begin in October of 2023, what will be a year and a half since the initial traffic stop.
Schurr faces life in prison with the possibility of parole if convicted.
