Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old African American resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was fatally shot by Officer Christopher Schurr of the Grand Rapids Police Department during a scuffle between the two in Grand Rapids. Born on February 6, 1966, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lyoya was the oldest of Peter and Dorcas Lyoya’s six children.
Lyoya was a dancer and a fan of soccer. He spent part of his adolescence in a refugee camp in the DRC, fleeing political violence. His early life was marked by the challenges and hardships that many in Central Africa face, including political instability, poverty, and physical safety concerns. Seeking a better life and greater economic opportunities, Lyoya’s family became refugees. By 2014, 18-year-old Patrick Lyoya and his family moved to the United States. They settled first in Lansing, Michigan, where he attended Everett High School. The family then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Lyoya worked various jobs to support himself and his family.
On the morning of April 4, 2022, Patrick Lyoya was pulled over by then-Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr. The department later said that Lyoya was stopped because the license plate on his car did not match the car’s registration. Lyoya seemed distrustful of Officer Schurr, so he got out of his car and began running to get away from the officer. Toxicology reports, however, later revealed Lyoya had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit. Schurr caught Lyoya, and a struggle ensued. As Officer Schurr tried to get a grip on Lyoya, he, in turn, reached for the officer’s taser. At that point, Schurr shot and killed Lyoya.
The deadly shooting shook the city of Grand Rapids. The local press picked up the story after the police released the bodycam footage. That footage showed Lyoya exiting his vehicle despite Schurr’s instructions to stay inside. The bodycam footage shows Schurr asking for Lyoya’s driver’s license, but he appears confused and begins to walk away. They struggle, and Lyoya reaches for Schurr’s Taser. He responds by killing Lyoya with a shot to the back of his head.
The bodycam footage brings the Lyoya killing to national prominence. Rev. Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump became involved, leading a campaign for justice for Lyoya. CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post also covered the story. Their subsequent reporting and analysis helped ensure that it remained in the public eye.
The Michigan State Police conducted an investigation into the shooting and concluded that Officer Schurr acted inappropriately. Following the public pressure and media coverage, the Grand Rapids Police Department placed Schurr on administrative leave and eventually fired him. Grand Rapids city officials, including the police chief and mayor, expressed condolences to Lyoya’s family and promised a thorough investigation. The incident prompted calls for potential reforms in Grand Rapids police policies, particularly regarding the use of deadly force in handling traffic stops and the need for transparency in police interactions with the public through body camera usage. Patrick Lyoya’s death continued to highlight the personal impact of police shootings of unarmed Black men and intensified the broader calls for justice and reform.