Family of Patrick Lyoya says shooting by police was an “execution”

The family of Patrick Lyoya is seeking accountability and justice after the 26-year-old was fatally shot by a Grand Rapids Police officer.

Police in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Wednesday released several videos of an officer’s encounter with Lyoya, who died after being shot during a traffic stop this month.

The Grand Rapids Police Department has said Lyoya was killed after an officer’s gun “discharged” during a “lengthy struggle.” But Lyoya’s family says they saw the shooting and believe the 26-year-old was killed “execution-style.”

The department released police body camera, dashcam, cell phone, and home surveillance system footage of the fatal shooting after family and attorneys demanded its release.

Traffic stop leads to deadly encounter

The incident began just after 8 a.m. on April 4 when police say they pulled over Lyoya’s vehicle for a traffic stop.

The video starts when Lyoya is outside the vehicle.

The Grand Rapids police officer is seen walking toward Lyoya and asked him for his license. Looking confused and terrified, Lyoya said he doesn’t understand what’s going on. The officer says “do you understand English?” followed by some hand guestures. Lyoya hesitates then says yes and tells the officer his license is in the vehicle.

Lyoya asked the unknown passenger sitting in the car for his license and asked the officer again what’s going on.

The officer says the license plate does not match the vehicle and again demands him to get his license.

It appears Lyoya’s attempt to get the license from the passenger is unsuccessful and he closes the car door. He proceeds to try walking around to the other side of the vehicle and the officer immediately says “no you’re not”, grabbed Lyoya and attempts to detain him.

Lyoya ran and eventually made it into someone’s yard. A struggle between the Grand Rapids Police officer and Lyoya ensued. The officer tries to tase Lyoya but is unsuccessful. He manages to get Lyoya on the ground, they continue to struggle, and the next thing you hear is a shot.

While being pinned down by the officer  with his face down, Lyoya was shot in the back of his head by the officer.

The video stops and then cuts back on, showing officers on the scene appearing to perform CPR on Lyoya.

Lyoya died as a result of the gunshot. He was unarmed.

We will not post the video on our website. The video can be viewed on YouTube.

Family of Patrick Lyoya seeks justice

His family and attorneys are seeking justice, calling the shooting an execution.

“My heart is really broken. I am asking for justice for Patrick”, said Patrick’s father Peter Lyoya during a Thursday press conference.

“I thought Patrick would be burying me, but now I’m burying my son”, said Patrick’s mother.

Tamika Palmer, the mother of Breonna Taylor, was with the Lyoya family at the press conference. She spoke briefly and told his parents she was “sorry” for what happened and “I too lost a child at 26 years old”, indicating the unsettling commonality between them.

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump has been retained by the Lyoya family and pushed for the officer to be fired and charged.

“The video clearly shows that this was an unnecessary, excessive, and fatal use of force against an unarmed Black man who was confused by the encounter and terrified for his life,” Crump said.

The shooting has outraged many in the community, prompting multiple protests.

Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington said: “Unfortunately … our city is now added to the list of cities across the country where another African American man has died as a result of the use of lethal force with the interaction of law enforcement.”

Officer involved and investigation

Police Chief Eric Winstrom said the officer will not be identified publicly unless there are criminal charges. The officer is on paid leave and his police powers were suspended, the chief said.

The family demands they release the officer’s identity.

“I deserve to know who killed my son”, said Peter Lyoya.

Michigan State Police are conducting a criminal investigation and will be performing an autopsy. Sources say Patrick Lyoya’s family has been offered an independent autopsy.

The family also demanded a federal investigation be launched into the killing along with the history and culture of the Grand Rapids Police Department.

Patrick Lyoya is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and migrated with his family to the United States in 2014 as refugees. Patrick Lyoya lived in Grand Rapids, his parents live in Lansing.