The Michigan Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from former police officer Christopher Schurr, who is facing a second-degree murder charge for the fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya during a 2022 traffic stop in Grand Rapids. Schurr argued that he should not have to stand trial as he was acting within his rights as a law enforcement officer, but the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of trial. Schurr’s appeal was denied by the Supreme Court, with two justices dissenting.
The shooting of Lyoya, a Congolese refugee, led to protests and calls for accountability within the Grand Rapids Police Department. The video footage released by the department shows Schurr fatally shooting Lyoya while he was facedown on the ground during a struggle. Schurr’s attorneys have argued that he was justified in using lethal force, as Lyoya attempted to grab his stun gun.
Following the shooting, the Grand Rapids Police Department implemented new policies including de-escalation training and a dedicated policy for the sanctity of life. Prosecutors argued that a jury should determine whether the use of lethal force was justified, and Schurr was charged with second-degree murder in June 2022. A trial date has not been set yet, but Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker expressed the desire for a swift resolution for Lyoya’s family. Schurr was fired from the police department shortly after being charged and has been unsuccessful in his attempts to avoid standing trial.
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