An officer who shoots a man in the head after a fight, killing him. This is what is seen in a video released by the police department of Grand Rapids (Michigan), as reported by the American media. The images, taken from a witness’s cell phone, show the agent shooting an African-American Patrick Lyoya during a roadside check. The department said the deadly shooting occurred on April 4, after what police described as a “long struggle”. A representative of Lyoya’s family, however, objected to the reconstruction of the police. On CNN, he said he saw the video of the shooting and believes the 26-year-old was killed “execution style”. Police said neither the videos nor the audio were edited, but some images were obscured or blurred to ensure privacy.
Michigan agent kills African American while on the ground: shock video from the US
Police Chief Eric Winstrom said the shooting officer will not be publicly identified unless there are criminal charges. Currently, he explained, he is on paid leave and his police powers have been suspended. Michigan police are conducting a criminal investigation. “It was a tragedy,” he added. Lyoya had two daughters and five brothers, said Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who told her family about her. “He arrived in the United States as a refugee with his family fleeing the violence. He had his whole life ahead of him,” he added. Famous civil rights attorney Ben Crump, speaking on behalf of Lyoya’s family, demanded that the officer involved in the shooting be fired and prosecuted. “The video clearly shows that there was unnecessary, excessive and fatal use of force against an unarmed black man who was confused and terrified for his life,” Crump said. Lyoya is expected to hold a press conference on Thursday afternoon. Late yesterday evening, over 100 people marched to Grand Rapids City Hall praising ‘Black Lives Matter’ and shouting the slogan “No justice, no peace”