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GRPD releases name of officer who shot Patrick Lyoya

Kent Co. Commissioner Womack speaks out against "bad tomatoes" in GRPD killing of Patrick Lyoya
Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack
Kent Co. Commissioner Womack speaks out against "bad tomatoes" in GRPD killing of Patrick Lyoya

The Grand Rapids police department has named the officer who shot and killed Patrick Lyoya earlier this month (April 4).

The officer is white. Lyoya was Black.

Lyoya's family and nationally known civil rights advocates have been demanding the department identify the officer.

The city's police chief had said the department would withhold the officer's name until the Michigan State Police had finished its investigation.

But on Monday, the chief said he was naming the officer to reduce speculation and confusion, even though the state police investigation is still in progress.

The officer is Christopher Schurr. He's been with the GRPD for seven years.

He's on paid leave, stripped of his police powers, while the investigation continues.

Brett joined Michigan Public in December 2021 as an editor.