Thursday, March 28

Whitmer promises ‘transparent, independent’ probe of shooting


Lansing — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vowed Wednesday afternoon that the Michigan State Police will conduct a “transparent, independent investigation” into a Grand Rapids police officer’s fatal shooting of 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya.

Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist made public statements minutes after the City of Grand Rapids released video of the April 4 incident. The footage showed the unidentified officer shooting Lyoya while the officer was on top of him during a struggle in a neighborhood.

A probe by the Michigan State Police has begun. When it’s complete, Whitmer said, prosecutors “must consider all the evidence, follow the law and take appropriate action on charges.”

“Justice is foundational to safety, and without justice, we are all less safe,” the governor said.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel offered assistance to Kent County Prosecutor Christopher Becker if he “determines the expertise of my department is warranted.”

“I have every expectation that the Grand Rapids Police Department will fully cooperate with the Michigan State Police in their investigation and that the local prosecutor will perform a thorough analysis of the facts of law that apply in this case,” Nessel said in a statement.


www.detroitnews.com

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