Michigan Officer Who Fatally Shot Patrick Lyoya Charged with Murder

The Grand Rapids, Michigan police officer who shot and killed Black motorist Patrick Lyoya following a traffic stop and struggle was charged with one count of second-degree murder Thursday.

Prosecutor Christopher Becker’s announcement comes more than two months after the April 4 shooting. In a Thursday afternoon press conference, Becker said he expects the officer, Christopher Schurr, to be arraigned Friday. Court records show that Schurr had already turned himself into the Calhoun County Correctional Center just before 2 p.m.

He faces life in prison with the possibility of parole if convicted.

As previously reported, the April 4 incident involved the white Grand Rapids police officer and 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya.

Body, dash cameras and cellphone footage showed the officer pulling over Patrick Lyoya’s car around 8:10 a.m. Lyoya exited his vehicle and Schurr approached him, telling him the license plate was not registered to that vehicle. After a brief exchange, Lyoya attempts to walk away, but the officer grabs him and a struggle ensues. Lyoya tries to run away, then the two begin to wrestle as Schurr unsuccessfully tries to use his Taser on Lyoya. The officer ends up pulling his gun and shooting Lyoya in the back of the head.