The highly watched murder trial of a Michigan police officer who fatally shot Patrick Lyoya… a 26-year-old Black man and Congolese immigrant… has ended in a mistrial after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
On Thursday, the judge overseeing the case declared a mistrial, marking a partial legal reprieve for Officer Christopher Schurr, who had faced a second-degree murder charge in the 2022 fatal shooting.
Though Schurr is not cleared, the decision leaves his legal fate uncertain, with the potential for a retrial still on the table.
The incident occurred during a routine traffic stop in Grand Rapids and quickly escalated into a fatal confrontation. Shocking bodycam footage, later released by the police department, showed Schurr firing a single shot into the back of Lyoya’s head while he was pinned face-down on the ground.
The video ignited weeks of civil unrest and protests throughout the city, with activists demanding accountability and justice.
During the trial, Schurr testified that he feared for his life after Lyoya allegedly grabbed his Taser during a physical altercation in a residential area. The prosecution, however, argued that Schurr used excessive and unnecessary force.
