An investigation is underway after 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya was pulled over by Grand Rapids police and fatally shot in the back of the head.
Officers allegedly initiated the traffic stop under suspicion regarding Lyoya’s license plate. Police explained at the time of attempting to arrest Lyoya, he tried to flee.
Lyoya and the officer struggled for roughly 2 minutes before the officer shot him in the back of his head.
An independent autopsy, done by Dr. Werner Spitz, reveals that the bullet traveled up and to the right side of Lyoya’s skull and lodged under his skin, killing him in seconds.
The Michigan State Police are still investigating the April 4 encounter. City Manager Mark Washington releases a statement. Washington mentioned Grand Rapids is among cities where unarmed Black men have been killed by police.
“Unfortunately, I am here today because our city is now added to the list of cities across the country where another African American man has died as a result of the use of lethal force with the interaction of law enforcement,” Washington said.
