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| Dorcas Lyoya, the mother of Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Black man who was shot and killed by a white Grand Rapids police officer following a traffic stop, cries at a news conference held to respond to the videos of her son's killing April 14 in Grand Rapids, Mich. (Photo by=Bill Pugliano / Getty Images) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] The brother of the black man fatally shot by US police this month called video of the shooting "the most horrifying thing" he has ever seen. Michigan police this week released footage of a police officer shooting Patrick Lyoya, 26, in the head after a scuffle over a Taser.
Mr Lyoya's family, Congolese refugees, addressed the media on Thursday and called for the officer's name to be released. State police are investigating the incident, which has led to protests. Footage of the 4 April incident in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a town some 150 miles (240km) west of Detroit, shows Mr. Lyoya running from the officer following a traffic stop. There is an altercation over the officer's Taser before the officer appears to shoot the man as he lies face-down on the ground. During Thursday's press conference, Mr. Lyoya's father said through a translator: "My life has come to an end."
Dozens of demonstrators gathered on Wednesday outside the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) demanding the name of the police officer involved be made public. Authorities said the officer would not be identified unless criminal charges were to be brought against him. The police officer is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
