Patrick Lyoya

Three years ago, Patrick Lyoya was shot and killed by former Grand Rapids Police Department officer Christopher Schurr.

During the one-year anniversary of Lyoya's death, community members debuted a billboard at the corner of Eastern and Sherman street southeast, reminding others that their fight for justice isn't over.

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.

A former Grand Rapids police officer will stand trial on charges he murdered a man while on duty in April.

On the day of the killing, Wayne Butler thought Officer Schurr had done nothing wrong.Butler testified during a preliminary hearing at 61st District Court in Grand Rapids Thursday morning, a hearing meant to decide whether there’s enough evidence for Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr to face trial for shooting and killing Patrick Lyoya on the morning of April 4.

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.

The city of Grand Rapids has fired Christopher Schurr, the police officer who shot and killed Patrick Lyoya.

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