Grand Rapids, Mich. — A mistrial was declared Thursday in the murder case against former police officer Christopher Schurr, who was charged in the fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop in 2022. Seventeenth Circuit Court Judge Christina Mims announced the decision after jurors reported they could not reach a unanimous verdict despite extensive deliberation.
Lyoya’s death sparked significant community outrage and widespread protests in Grand Rapids, highlighting ongoing national conversations about police use of force. The case drew considerable attention, with supporters of both Lyoya and Schurr gathered outside the Kent County Courthouse as deliberations took place.
According to reports, Schurr initiated the traffic stop on April 4, 2022, when he noticed discrepancies between Lyoya’s vehicle and its license plate. Following Schurr’s instructions to remain in the vehicle, Lyoya allegedly attempted to flee, leading to a physical altercation that occurred in a nearby yard. An autopsy later determined that Lyoya died from a gunshot wound to the back of his head.
The Kent County Prosecutor’s office charged Schurr with second-degree murder, a charge to which Schurr pleaded not guilty. During the trial, defense attorney Mark Dodge argued that Schurr acted within his rights, emphasizing that his client was justified in the actions taken during the confrontation.
Video evidence played a significant role in the trial, with multiple recordings capturing the moments leading up to the shooting. Footage from both a passenger in Lyoya’s car and police body and dash cameras showed Schurr attempting to deploy his taser twice during the struggle. Ultimately, it was during this chaotic encounter that Schurr shot Lyoya.
As the trial reached its conclusion, jury members expressed their inability to reach a consensus, leading to the official declaration of a mistrial. This outcome raises questions about the future of the case, as Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker now faces the decision of whether to pursue a retrial.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Lyoya’s family filed a $100 million federal lawsuit against Schurr and the city of Grand Rapids, seeking accountability and justice for their loved one’s death. The Grand Rapids Police Department terminated Schurr’s employment shortly after the incident in June 2022, further compounding the public’s demand for reform in policing practices.
With the mistrial’s declaration, the community remains divided, grappling with the implications of the case that continues to resonate throughout the region and beyond.