Michigan police release footage of officer shooting Black man during traffic stop

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Police in the US state of Michigan released four videos Wednesday of a police shooting earlier this month that left a Black man dead.

The videos, released by the Grand Rapids Police Department, show an officer fatally shooting Patrick Lyoya, 26, in the back of the head during a traffic stop in Grand Rapids on April 4.

"It’s an absolute tragedy. It’s heartbreaking. It’s been a difficult time internally for the police department," Grand Rapids police Chief Eric Winstrom said at a press conference.

According to one video, Lyoya was on the ground and facing away from the officer, who later pulled the trigger.

The shooting came after a two-minute struggle between the two men. The police officer, whose identity has yet to be released, reportedly stopped Lyoya because his license plate did not match his vehicle.

Lyoya, the father of two young daughters, arrived in the US from Congo as a refugee with his family, fleeing violence.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the Michigan State Police will conduct a transparent, independent investigation of the shooting.

"Justice is foundational to safety, and without justice, we are all less safe," she said in a statement.

“We DEMAND that the officer who killed Patrick not only be terminated for his excessive and fatal force, but be arrested and prosecuted for his violent, reckless, and unjustified killing of this Black man during a misdemeanor traffic stop!” Ben Crump, a lawyer for the family, said on Twitter.

The incident prompted protests in the city.