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Christopher Schurr and Patrick Lyoya
A mistrial was declared Thursday morning in the trial of former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr who was accused of murdering motorist Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop on April 4, 2022, the Grand Rapids Press reports. The Kent County Circuit Court jury was hopelessly deadlocked.
Schurr chased Lyoya, who ran on foot after being pulled over for having a license plate that did not belong on the car he was driving.
The shooting was captured on video.
Lyoya, a 26-year-old immigrant from Central Africa, was killed about three minutes after the traffic stop began. Schurr, who joined the force in 2015, tackled the driver when he ran and then fired into the back of his head during a brief tussle, according to a video recorded by Lyoya's passenger.
He testified in court that he feared for his life when he shot Lyoya.
It was not immediately clear if the prosecution will retry the case.
