The Kent County Prosecutor will announce on Thursday, June 9 if the officer who shot and killed Lyoya during an anything-but routine traffic stop in Grand Rapids will face charges, FOX 2 reported.
Prosecutor Chris Becker will announce the charging decision on Thursday.
Lyoya lived in Grand Rapids for five years and had immigrated to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2014.
Video footage from a witness captured the final moments of Lyoya alive as he lay faced down to the ground and attempting to kneel up while the officer’s body lay on top of him. “Let go of the Taser,” the officer yelled in the moment right before firing the fatal shot.
Per protocol, Michigan State Police is leading the investigation into the police shooting death of Lyoyoa and once inquiry is complete, it will turn the case to the lcoal Kent County prosecutor’s office.
The video release by the police department following community outrage and protests, caught the attention of prominent civil right attorney, Benjamin Crump, hired by the Lyoya’s family.
“This is personal to me,” said Brenda Lawrence, member of United State House of Representatives during his late April funeral. “This is my family, You are family. Today we lay to rest a man, a father, and a victim. Patrick is a human being and we must stand up in America and fight for three things: Justice, transparency, and accountability.”
Fleeing oppression and violence from his home country, earlier in the week, Lyoya’s father expressed a saddening state of affairs for what law and order personally looks and feels like for he and his family. “My heart is really deeply broken,” said Peter Lyoya during the funeral. “I didn’t know here in America there can be an execution style to kill someone.”
Digital Anchor Andre Ash contributed to this report.
