Christopher Schurr

After a judge refused to toss out a 2nd Degree Murder charge on Friday, the legal team of former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr says, they plan to appeal; a decision that could set the criminal trial back months.The defense had argued that Schurr was justified in the shooting death of Congolese Immigrant Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop last April based on an 1846 Michigan state law that authorizes police to use deadly force when a felon is attempting to escape, and therefore, the 2nd Degree Murder charge should be dropped.

Former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher’s Schurr’s legal team Tuesday filed a motion in Kent County Circuit Court requesting that the 2nd Degree Murder charge against him be dropped.Schurr is accused of shooting Congolese Immigrant Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head during a traffic stop in April of 2022.

Prelim scheduled for October 27th

A judge Friday delayed former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr’s preliminary hearing for at least another month, after defense lawyers argued the team needed more time to prepare.Christopher Schurr has been charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop.

Following the second-degree murder charge of Grand Rapids Police officer Christopher Schurr, marchers gathered at Grand Rapids Police Department headquarters.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker has called for a Thursday afternoon news conference.

It’s been nearly a month since the death of Patrick Lyoya.A Grand Rapids police officer killed the Congolese man during a struggle after a traffic stop on April 4. An external investigation from the Michigan State Police is ongoing, and his death has sparked protests and renewed calls for justice for Black people killed at the hands of police. But for Lyoya’s family, their son is more than a symbol. They long for the world to know the real Patrick.

Patrick Lyoya was shot and killed by a Grand Rapids policeman following a traffic stop three weeks ago on Monday.

The Grand Rapids police department has named the officer who shot and killed Patrick Lyoya on April 4.

The killing of Patrick Lyoya by Grand Rapids police officer, Christopher Schurr, has caused a resurgence of anxiety and trauma in many communities of color.