Police
Independent autopsy confirms Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of the head
The finding by a former Detroit-area medical examiner matches what was seen last week on video released by the Grand Rapids police chief.

An independent autopsy confirms that Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of the head by a Grand Rapids, Michigan police officer while facedown on the ground, lawyers for Lyoya’s family said Tuesday.
Patric Lyoya Independent autopsy
The finding by a former Detroit-area medical examiner matches what was seen last week on video released by the Grand Rapids police chief.
“There’s no question what killed this young man. … It was a powerful bullet,” said Dr. Werner Spitz, holding a skull at a news conference to show where the bullet entered the head.
Spitz said he believes the gun was pressed against Lyoya’s head when the officer fired.
The report said Lyoya “was conscious and aware of the fact that a gun was being held to the back of his head. Death was instantaneous when the gun fired.”
The official autopsy and toxicology report hasn’t been released to the public.
Deadly traffic stop
Lyoya was killed after a minor traffic stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan on April 4. Four videos released to the public showed Lyoya and the officer physically struggled on the ground before Lyoya was fatally shot.
Lyoya was unarmed. The officer was on top of him and can be heard on video demanding that he take his hand off a police Taser. Lyoya was stopped for an invalid license plate.
The officer’s name has not been released and is on paid leave.
The family has called the killing an “execution” and has demanded the officer’s identity be released along with a federal investigation.
“We can confirm that Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of his head,” attorney Ben Crump said. “That is now scientific evidence of this tragic killing and what his family believes was an execution.”
Funeral arrangements for Patrick Lyoya
The 26-year-old was a refugee from Congo who came to America in 2014 with family for a better life. He lived in Grand Rapids. His family lives in Lansing.
According to reports, Lyoya’s funeral is planned for Friday at the Renaissance Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids. Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network said it will help cover the cost. He will deliver a eulogy.
----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Unheard Voices Magazine is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
-
News1 week ago
South Carolina veteran dies on his birthday while saving 13-year-old boy from drowning
-
Black And Missing1 week ago
Update: The body of missing Ohio 13-year-old has been found; her father charged for her murder
-
Crime & Justice2 weeks ago
Twin brothers miss their flight to Boston, later found dead in Georgia mountains
-
Health & Wellness2 weeks ago
21-year-old man becomes first in New York to be cured of sickle cell anemia
-
Crime & Justice2 days ago
Authorities release cause of death for Kei’Mani Latigue
-
Education1 week ago
Teacher ordered to remove inclusive signs from classroom; GoFundMe raises more than $15k to support diversity and inclusion
-
In Memoriam5 days ago
Brothers from New Jersey killed in Philadelphia highway crash
-
Culture4 weeks ago
Altadena family spanning generations lost 20 homes in Los Angeles wildfires