CHRIS BECKER

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Kent County’s prosecutor wants a judge to deny a motion seeking dismissal of a murder charge against a former Grand Rapids police officer accused in the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya, court records show. Prosecutor Chris Becker is asking Kent County Circuit Judge Christina Elmore to deny a motion to quash filed by former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr’s attorneys earlier this month.

KENT COUNTY, MI – East Kentwood High School students are heading to Washington D.C. after taking first place at the “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution” state finals to compete for a national title. During the hearings, students testify before a panel of judges, who act as members of Congress, to demonstrate their knowledge of constitutional principles. Becker himself participated in the We The People program as a high school student when he attended East Kentwood, Robbins said. In preparation for this year’s state finals competition, East Kentwood’s team spent over 160 hours just in December practicing their skills, Robbins said. This is the first time since 2010 that East Kentwood has won first place in the state finals, Robbins said.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A Grand Rapids police officer will stand trial on a murder charge for fatally shooting a Black motorist in the back of the head earlier this year during a traffic stop. In a written opinion announced Monday morning, a Grand Rapids judge made the ruling to bind Christopher Schurr, a police officer who has since been fired by the Grand Rapids Police Department, over for trial. Schurr, 31, shot Patrick Lyoya, a Black motorist, during a traffic stop nearly seven months ago on Grand Rapids’ Southeast Side. “He went through his use of force options to the best of his ability,” Grand Rapids police Capt. Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump each made visits to Grand Rapids calling for justice for Lyoya.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Kent County’s prosecutor is anticipating a former Grand Rapids police officer will face trial on a murder charge in the killing of Patrick Lyoya. A judge will rule Monday, Oct. 31, if Christopher Schurr will stand trial for second-degree murder in Lyoya’s killing. RELATED: Will police officer face murder trial for killing Patrick Lyoya? McKersie testified that Schurr did not violate department policy when he shot and killed Patrick Lyoya during a fight for the officer’s Taser. Schurr shot Lyoya, a Congolese refugee, after a traffic stop on Nelson Avenue SE, just north of Griggs Street, during a struggle for control of the officer’s Taser.

WALKER, MI -- Police released body cam video showing a West Michigan officer firing at an armed man who later, while wounded, led police on a chaotic chase in a stolen U-Haul truck that crashed into several cruisers. The body cam video was released as Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker ruled the Sept. 9 shooting was justified. The 11-second video clip released shows a man, now identified as 36-year-old Robert Gallup of Kentwood, jump off a home’s wooden deck and start to flee. The video was released without audio, but it shows what appears to be the detective firing at Gallup. During the chase, in Jenison, an Ottawa County sheriff’s deputy fired shots before the U-Haul truck crashed and Gallup was taken into custody.

KENT COUNTY, MI – A Walker police detective was justified in shooting a man who allegedly pointed a gun at investigators and later rammed patrol cars with a stolen U-Haul, police said. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker determined that the detective was justified in shooting Robert Gallup, 36, of Kentwood, who was treated for an arm injury, authorities said. Related: Driver in stolen U-Haul who rammed several cruisers, and was shot by police, faces 9 feloniesKent County Sheriff’s Department, which investigated the shooting, said Becker determined the shooting to be justified. The Sept. 9 incident began with a confrontation between Gallup and Walker detectives, who were investigating a report of a stolen motorcycle. He is held in the Kent County Correctional Facility on $500,000 bond.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A Grand Rapids bar security guard will not face charges for fatally shooting a man who had been kicked out of the business but aggressively returned. Kent Count Prosecutor Chris Becker ruled Friday, Oct. 7 that the security guard acted in self-defense when he shot 31-year-old Jose Garcia Rivas about 1:20 a.m. Sept. 4. At that moment, the security guard fired three rounds at Garcia Rivas. Police determined Garcia Rivas was not armed, but Becker said his decision hinged on what the security guard believed at the time. When Garcia Rivas threw a beer bottle at a second entry door, inside of a foyer area, the security guard ducked.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- As homicides linked to domestic violence spike in Kent County, a group gathered Monday to honor lives lost to a problem rooted in abusive patterns that too often go unreported. Dozens of people gathered Monday, Oct. 3 on the Blue Bridge in downtown Grand Rapids for a vigil sponsored by the Kent County Domestic Violence Community Coordinated Response Team. Tamara Berzley, an aunt to Valdez, wore a shirt showing Marissa’s photo and writing on the back to promote domestic violence awareness. Tara Aday, senior director of programs at Safe Haven Ministries and co-chair of the Kent County domestic violence team, said homicides related to domestic violence locally are on a pace to double from the previous year. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said one effort proposed in Kent County is to establish a domestic violence court in Kent County that would take a multiple-pronged approach to the problem.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A primary election worker in a Grand Rapids area township is facing two felonies for what Kent County leaders say involved illegally accessing a machine with a thumb drive. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced the charges Wednesday, Sept. 28 against the man, who worked the Aug. 2 primary in Gaines Township’s Precinct 8. The poll book contains voter registration data, including confidential, personal identifying information about precinct voters. But it is not connected to any tabulation equipment or the Internet, Posthumus Lyons said. “Let me be very clear: voter fraud and illegal election activity in Kent County will not be tolerated.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker has cleared two officers who fired at a man holding a loaded gun, wounding him. At the same time he cleared the officers, Becker announced assault and weapons charges Tuesday, Sept. 27 against the man. Becker said he could not discuss specific details surrounding his decision to clear the officers because of the pending charges against the suspect. Officers responded to the area of Forrester Street SE and Bonita Drive on a report of someone breaking into vehicles. One of the officers yells “There’s something in his hand,” and then moments later yells “drop the gun” before shots ring out.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A judge has set a key hearing date for a former Grand Rapids police officer accused of second-degree murder in the April shooting death of Patrick Lyoya. A probable cause hearing has been set for Oct. 27, with a possible continuation date of Oct. 28 if testimony does not conclude in one day. Attorneys for the former officer, Christopher Schurr, and Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker met in the judge’s chambers Friday, Sept. 23 to decided on a date. The two fought over control of Schurr’s Taser before the officer fired his weapon while on top of Lyoya. The hearing now set for Oct. 27 is the third date set for a probable cause hearing in the case.

Related: Man assaults 2 juvenile employees at West Michigan Burger King, police sayThe incident happened Saturday afternoon at the Burger King at 1313 28th St. SW in Wyoming. The man told workers something was on his drink cup and handed it back. When he didn’t get a new cup, the man climbed over the counter and got his own. A worker chased the man, Becker said. Prosecutors reviewed all of the video, including cellphone video of workers, as well as police interviews of those involved.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The probable cause hearing for the former police officer charged with murder in the death of Patrick Lyoya has been pushed back yet again. Grand Rapids District Court Judge Nicholas Ayoub on Friday, Aug. 19, granted the delay and adjourned the probable cause hearing that had been set for Aug. 30. A new date for the probable cause hearing has not been set. During a probable cause hearing, a judge hears evidence in a case and decides whether there is enough probable cause to bind the case over to Kent County Circuit Court for trial. Schurr’s probable cause hearing was originally set for July 18 but rescheduled to Aug. 30 after the defense team requested an adjournment due to a large amount of evidence to review.

Prosecutors will not be able to enforce Michigan’s 1931 criminal abortion ban for the foreseeable future, following a ruling out of Oakland County Circuit Court. On Wednesday, Aug. 3, Judge Jacob Cunningham announced an extension to the restraining order he put in place Monday, Aug. 1, at the request of Gov. The order prohibits enforcement of the state’s abortion ban while lawsuits related to the 91-year-old law are ongoing. Cunningham heard arguments for and against maintaining the temporary restraining order Wednesday afternoon before reaching his decision. Read more on MLive:Michigan judge blocks prosecutors from enforcing abortion banJudge will continue to oversee abortion lawsuit despite contributions to Planned ParenthoodMichigan posts 25-year abortion high, plus other 2021 data

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said he appreciates the “clarification” provided by a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling stating that county prosecutors can enforce the state’s 1931 law criminalizing abortion providers. “I cannot and will not ignore a validly passed law,” Becker said in a statement, issued Monday, Aug. 1. “The Michigan Court of Appeals order does not take effect for at least 21 days. Such we’re continuing to evaluate our legal options.”Also Monday, following the appeals court ruling, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that she was requesting a temporary restraining order to prohibit county prosecutors from enforcing the 1931 abortion ban.

Michigan’s Court of Appeals has declined a request by anti-abortion groups and a pair of county prosecutors to overturn the preliminary injunction on the state’s 1931 abortion ban. The order leaves Planned Parenthood of Michigan’s lawsuit against Michigan’s attorney general with Court of Claims Judge Elizabeth Gleicher, who issued the abortion ban injunction on May 17. However, the panel of judges did rule that county prosecutors do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Court of Claims, and can enforce the state’s ban on abortions despite the stay. Although the attorney general can supervise, consult and advise county prosecutors, the law “does not give the attorney general the general authority to control the discretion afforded to county prosecutors in the exercise of their statutory duties,” the judges wrote. “As the court recognized and as I believed, the decision in that case applied only to state actors, it never applied to county prosecutors.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A teen allegedly leaned out of a moon roof and fired 11 shots at a Grand Rapids police officer’s cruiser, but missed the cruiser entirely, court document show. Arthur Darelle-Jamal Williams, 17, is accused of attempted murder and other felonies in the June 24 shooting on Prospect Avenue SE, near Highland Street. Related: People in stolen car shoot at Grand Rapids police officer, who fires back before vehicle pursuitThe Cadillac stopped in the area of Prospect Avenue SE and Highland Street. Officers caught at least one person and, though subsequent interviews, determined that Williams fired the shots. More from MLiveSuspect arraigned on murder charges following July 11 domestic assaultFutsal courts coming to downtown Grand Rapids surface parking lot5 things to know about Santa Ono, University of Michigan’s 15th president

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A key court hearing for former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr has been delayed until Aug. 30. Schurr is charged with second-degree murder in the April 4 shooting of Patrick Lyoya along a Southeast Grand Rapids street. Schurr shot Lyoya during a struggle following a traffic stop on Nelson Avenue SE just north of Griggs Street. The two fought over control of Schurr’s Taser before the officer fired his weapon while on top of Lyoya. Grand Rapids police earlier released body camera and cell phone footage.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A 17-year-old has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at a Grand Rapids police cruiser with an officer inside. Arthur Darelle-Jamal Williams is charged with attempted murder, felony firearm and discharge of a firearm from a vehicle. Grand Rapids police said an officer was in a cruiser about 3:15 a.m. June 24, going south on Prospect Avenue, when the officer noticed a vehicle going the opposite direction with its headlights off. As the two vehicles approached one another, the suspect vehicle stopped and then began to reverse. The suspect vehicle, later identified as a stolen Cadillac, then fled.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Protestors are calling for Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker to resign a week after Becker announced his intention to enforce Michigan’s 1931 law banning abortion procedures. RELATED: Kent County prosecutor will enforce state’s 1931 abortion ban despite injunctionEvent organizer Sam Tunningley said the group believes a law written nearly 100 years ago should not determine the lives of people today. The Michigan Court of Claims granted a preliminary injunction making the law unenforceable until the court case is resolved. I will not start now.”But local members of the FRSO believe Becker could be persuaded to change his decision through a public pressure campaign. Tunningley said he believed public pressure is what led to Becker’s decision to charge Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr with second-degree murder in the April 4 killing of Patrick Lyoya.

The anonymous group vows to ‘aid and abet abortion’

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker says he will enforce the state’s 1931 law criminalizing abortion providers despite a court-ordered pause on doing so. And, he said, he would abide by whatever laws the state Legislature or voters pass later on. In the meantime, though, the 1931 law on the books is valid, he said. Michigan’s 1931 abortion law came under intense scrutiny and started to draw legal challenges in May when a draft majority opinion by the U.S. Supreme Court showing they would overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked. On Friday, June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court, by a 5-4 measure, overturned Roe v. Wade.

Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr has been charged with second-degree murder

The Grand Rapids police officer who shot and killed Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head during a traffic stop on April 4 was arraigned Friday at 1:30 p.m. on a second-degree murder charge.

A Michigan prosecutor who charged a police officer with murder in the shooting of Patrick Lyoya is being praised by some of his early critics.

A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Black man who was on the ground when he was shot in the back of the head following a traffic stop captured on a bystander's phone, was expected to have an initial court hearing Friday on...

Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr has been booked into the Calhoun County Jail Thursday (June 9) night after he was charged with second-degree murder for the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya.Schurr is expected to face a judge Friday (June 10).

GRAND RAPIDS, MI —‘ Reactions were mixed Thursday as activists gathered outside the Grand Rapids Police Department following the Kent County Prosecutor’s decision to charge the Grand Rapids police officer that killed Patrick Lyoya with second-degree murder. Related: Police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya charged with murder“I was really happy,” said Jimmy Barwan, who said he was Lyoya’s cousin. They marched around the police station at least once, and later walked to city hall and around the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. Schurr, a seven-year veteran of the police force, is expected to be arraigned Friday in Grand Rapids District Court. “I didn’t expect it to go that way,” said Ward, a 34-year-old personal care aid from Grand Rapids.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Local NAACP President Cle Jackson was shocked, but pleased when Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr was charged with second-degree murder in the killing of Patrick Lyoya on Thursday afternoon. Related: Police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya charged with murder“Now the fight really begins,” Jackson said in a Thursday press conference at the NAACP Grand Rapids headquarters, 1530 Madison Ave. Once he had hold of Lyoya, Schurr told him to put his hands behind his back and to stop resisting. The Grand Rapids police officer is expected to be arraigned in 61st District Court Friday. More on MLive:Grand Rapids pastors call for federal investigation into Patrick Lyoya killing‘A new day in Grand Rapids:’ Community groups welcome murder charge against police officerMurder charge against officer in Patrick Lyoya case sends a message, expert says

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Grand Rapids police chief is recommending that his officer, now charged with murder in the death of Patrick Lyoya, be suspended without pay before he is ultimately fired. Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom on Thursday, June 9, said that by the end of the day he plans to submit a letter to the city manager recommending that Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr be suspended without pay and terminated. RELATED: Prosecutor says he followed the facts in charging officer with murder in Patrick Lyoya case“I don’t have any reason to believe that Mr. Becker made an incorrect decision,” Winstrom said. The officer told Lyoya that his license plate did not belong to the vehicle he was driving. Related MLive stories:Black man’s fatal shooting by Grand Rapids police ‘very sad day for our city’Patrick Lyoya was working to turn around his life before police officer killed himOfficer Christopher Schurr went from college athlete to cop before killing Patrick LyoyaAt funeral for Patrick Lyoya, Rev.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Law experts expressed different opinions on whether charging a Grand Rapids police officer with murder in the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya was the right call. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker on Thursday, June 9, announced his decision to charge officer Christopher Schurr with second degree murder in the April 4 shooting death of Patrick Lyoya. Video captured Schurr shooting Lyoya, a Black man, in the back of the head while Lyoya was face down on the ground. “There was absolutely no reason to use deadly force.”Related: Police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya charged with murderThe video shows Schurr repeatedly telling Lyoya to let go of the officer’s taser. Schurr had pulled Lyoya over because the license plate was not registered to the car he was driving.

Patrick Lyoya’s father Peter Lyoya reacted to Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker’s decision to charge Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr with second-degree murder Thursday (June 9) afternoon.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Eric Brown was surprised when he heard authorities had charged a Grand Rapids police officer with murder in the killing of Black motorist Patrick Lyoya. It’s not because Brown, the president and CEO of the Urban League of West Michigan, questioned the charges; he believes the correct charges – second-degree murder – were issued. “I truly was not expecting that decision.”Brown and Patterson said the charge is a step in the right direction but that the fight for police accountability in Grand Rapids is far from over. Patterson said many of the roadblocks to police reform in Grand Rapids stem from the police union’s contracts. Read more:Prosecutor says he followed the facts in charging officer with murder in Patrick Lyoya casePatrick Lyoya’s father: Decision to charge officer brings a ‘little bit of consolation to our family’Police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya charged with murder

KENT COUNTY, MI – Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said Thursday, June 9, that his decision to charge a Grand Rapids police officer in the killing of Patrick Lyoya was not intended as a message to police or the community. It’s where the facts led, he said.

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said Schurr has turned himself in and will be arraigned tomorrow.

Following the decision to charge Schurr, Peter Lyoya said it is important to continue to advocate for justice as the legal process continues to unfold. Patrick Lyoya was fatally shot in an 8:11 a.m. April 4 traffic stop in Southeast Grand Rapids. Once he had hold of Lyoya, Schurr told him to put his hands behind his back and to stop resisting. Related: Grand Rapids pastors call for federal investigation into Patrick Lyoya killingLyoya was on the ground, trying to get up with Schurr on top of him. Protesters, including those who have disrupted Grand Rapids City Commission meetings, have also called for charges.

The Grand Rapids officer who shot and killed Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head during a traffic stop in April has been charged with second-degree murder.

Prosecutor Chris Becker announced charges Thursday against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, weeks after Patrick Lyoya was killed.

Video of the encounter, in which an officer shot Lyoya in the head after a struggle during a traffic stop, sparked national outrage and calls for the officer to be charged.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Kent County prosecutors have authorized a charge of second-degree murder against a Grand Rapids police officer who shot and killed a motorist during a struggle. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker’s decision came more than two months after the April 4 shooting along a Southeast Grand Rapids street that put a national spotlight on Grand Rapids. BeIt involved a white Grand Rapids police officer, 31-year-old Christopher Schurr, and Black motorist, 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya. Related: Grand Rapids pastors call for federal investigation into Patrick Lyoya killingThe two fought over control of the Taser, which had been fired twice during the altercation. Related MLive stories:Black man’s fatal shooting by Grand Rapids police ‘very sad day for our city’Patrick Lyoya was working to turn around his life before police officer killed himOfficer Christopher Schurr went from college athlete to cop before killing Patrick LyoyaAt funeral for Patrick Lyoya, Rev.

Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker gave no hints Wednesday, saying only that he would disclose his “charging decision” at an afternoon news conference in Grand Rapids.

The event will take place at the Michigan State Police sixth district headquarters in Grand Rapids. RELATED: Prosecutor to announce decision Thursday in officer’s fatal shooting of Patrick LyoyaThe case has been in Becker’s hands since late April, when state police submitted its investigation findings to the prosecutor. The traffic stop happened at 8:11 a.m. on Nelson Avenue SE north of Griggs Street. Once he had hold of Lyoya, Schurr told him to put his hands behind his back and to stop resisting. Protesters, including those who have disrupted Grand Rapids City Commission meetings, have also called for charges.

A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya with a shot to the back of the Black man’s head has been charged with second-degree murder.

KENT COUNTY, MI – Prosecutor Chris Becker will announce Thursday, June 9, if Grand Rapids police Officer Christopher Schurr will be charged in the fatal shooting of Black motorist Patrick Lyoya. The press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday at the Michigan State Police sixth district headquarters in Grand Rapids. The officer told Lyoya that his license plate did not “belong” to the vehicle. Once he had hold of Lyoya, Schurr told him to put his hands behind his back and to stop resisting. Protesters, including those who have disrupted Grand Rapids City Commission meetings, have also called for charges.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A multi-racial group of Grand Rapids pastors convened Wednesday to call on city and county leaders with one voice and demand change following the police shooting of Patrick Lyoya. For a federal investigation to be launched into the killing as well as the history and culture of the Grand Rapids Police Department. The Grand Rapids Association of Pastors officials said Becker has rejected their demand. Grand Rapids officials reached out to the group Wednesday morning about having them meet with the police chief and other city staff. Willie Gholston III, pastor of First Community A.M.E. Church, said he believes police reform at the Grand Rapids Police Department is coming, but it’ll take accountability.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Kent County prosecutors have authorized a “careless discharge” count against a 13-year-old boy who police say accidentally fired a gun and killed another 13-year-old. Gabriel Hojnacki, a student at Kenowa Hills Middle School, died in the shooting. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker on Tuesday said he had authorized a juvenile charge of careless discharge of a weapon causing death against the 13-year-old who fired the shot. Grand Rapids police, in a brief statement, said that “detectives believe the shooting to be accidental.”Kenowa Hills schools Superintendent Gerald Hopkins issued a letter to middle school parents about the incident. In the evening hours of May 28th, 2022, one of our middle school students, Gabe Hojnacki, died due to injuries resulting from the accidental discharge of a firearm,” he wrote.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A coalition of pastors are calling for continued attention on the killing of Patrick Lyoya, specifically on the questions of what charges will be brought and what changes will be made. Among their list of demands, the pastors are requesting a federal investigation into the police officer’s fatal shooting of Lyoya and the culture of the Grand Rapids Police Department. For a federal investigation to be launched into the killing as well as the history and culture of the Grand Rapids Police Department. “This anger is rooted in our deep belief in the dignity, the image of God, that dwelled in Patrick Lyoya. RELATED: Christopher Schurr went from college athlete to cop before killing Patrick LyoyaBecker has not yet announced whether he will criminally charge Schurr.

A prosecutor said Wednesday that he will only decide whether to charge a white Michigan police officer in last month’s fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, after he finishes discussing it with experts.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – As Kent County’s prosecutor mulls over a decision whether to criminally charge a Grand Rapids police officer for fatally shooting Patrick Lyoya, legal experts have varying opinions on what the outcome may be. Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr shot and killed Lyoya during an April 4 traffic stop that spiraled into a struggle between the two. After a struggle between Schurr and Lyoya, video footage of the incident shows Schurr on top of Lyoya and Schurr shooting him in the back of the head. RELATED: As prosecutor reviews the killing of Patrick Lyoya, here’s how he ruled in 11 previous police shootingsBecker has previously said he will not recuse himself from the case. Osler, a former federal prosecutor, said in similar incidents – an officer shooting a civilian – in Minnesota, the charging decision often isn’t made by the prosecutor in the jurisdiction where the crime occurred.

A prosecutor said Wednesday that he will only decide whether to charge a white Michigan police officer in last month's fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya, a Black man, after he finishes discussing it with experts. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker acknowledged that the “investigation appears to be moving painstakingly slowly,” six weeks after Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr shot Lyoya in the back of the head during a struggle. “In this situation, my decision can only be made by taking the time to gather all the available information, both from (state police) and from state and national experts.”

KENT COUNTY, MI – Prosecutor Chris Becker said he will consult with experts before deciding whether Grand police Officer Christopher Schurr will face criminal charges in the April 4 shooting death of Patrick Lyoya. He acknowledged Wednesday, May 18, that many in the community are anxious for prosecutors to reach a conclusion. He said he is “keenly aware” of the impact his decision will have within the community. Civil-rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Lyoya’s family, has demanded that a decision on charges be made by May 25. Related:City commissioners targeted by vandalism tied to Patrick Lyoya’s killing by policeAs prosecutor reviews the killing of Patrick Lyoya, here’s how he ruled in 11 previous police shootingsPatrick Lyoya’s autopsy report by medical examiner confirms cause of deathWatch protesters demanding justice for Patrick Lyoya shut down Grand Rapids city meetingPatrick Lyoya’s troubles with police may have prompted his resistance to officerWitness to police shooting of Patrick Lyoya knew encounter would end badly

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Kent County’s prosecutor has ruled on at least 11 police shootings since he took office in 2017. Several “Justice for Patrick” marches and protests have been held in Grand Rapids since the release of the video footage of the shooting. Grand Rapids-area civil rights leaders, including the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP, have asked Becker to recuse himself. They say he works too closely with Grand Rapids police. Becker ruled that because Roemer thought he and his partner were in danger, the shots were justified.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Another turbulent Grand Rapids City Commission meeting was adjourned Tuesday evening after protesters, enraged by the death of Patrick Lyoya, disrupted the meeting. Related: Prostesters shut down Grand Rapids city meeting, demand justice for Patrick LyoyaAt the start of the meeting, Bliss had warned people that disruptions of the meeting would constitute a misdemeanor breach of peace charge under state law. If the disruptors didn’t leave, Bliss said she would recess the meeting, clear the Commission Chambers and then reconvene the city commission meeting. Like the last meeting that was shut down on April 26, Bliss adjourned the meeting midway through the final public comment period. Others began to shout and eventually Bliss recessed the meeting, saying those who were disrupting the meeting would be asked to leave.

Toxicology reports on Patrick Lyoya show his blood alcohol was more than three times the legal limit the morning he was shot and killed by a Grand Rapids police officer.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A Kent County sheriff’s deputy who fired two shots toward a crashed vehicle will not be charged because he thought the sound of a nearby pole snapping was someone firing at him and another deputy. The driver was sitting on the side of the road, near the wrecked vehicle, awaiting a tow truck. He ran behind the cruiser and fired two shots toward the driver of the wrecked vehicle as the pole made a snapping noise that sounded like a gunshot. The driver of the wrecked vehicle also was running because of the falling pole. “No, you heard the pole snapping,” Albert says.

KENT COUNTY, MI – Prosecutor Chris Becker on Tuesday, May 3, plans to release findings of an investigation after a Kent County sheriff’s deputy twice shot at an unoccupied vehicle. Related: Man shot and killed while breaking into Kent County home, police sayBecker is holding a 3 p.m. press conference on both cases. Two deputies – a field-training officer and a deputy undergoing training – responded. They were investigating when, around 2:40 a.m., the deputy who was undergoing training fired two rounds toward the unoccupied, crashed vehicle, police said. Related: Kent County sheriff’s deputy fires two shots toward unoccupied vehicle, investigating police sayAs part of an agreement, Wyoming Department of Public Safety, as an outside agency, investigated the sheriff’s deputy’s discharge of his firearm.

Detectives with the Michigan State Police submitted their findings in the fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya by Grand Rapids Police.

Patrick Lyoya, 26, died after being shot in the back of the head by a Grand Rapids officer on April 4.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Michigan State Police have submitted their investigation into the killing of Patrick Lyoya to Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker, officials announced Thursday. Becker will ultimately decide whether to criminally charge Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr for killing Lyoya on April 4. Some of those officials have claimed Becker works too closely with Grand Rapids police to be unbiased in a charging decision. For weeks, people have taken to the streets and to the Grand Rapids City Commission demanding Schurr be arrested and charged for killing Lyoya. Read more:Watch protesters demanding justice for Patrick Lyoya shut down Grand Rapids city meetingNAACP, Urban League demand Kent County prosecutor recusal in Patrick Lyoya caseGrand Rapids police chief reviewing traffic enforcement policies following Patrick Lyoya’s deathPolice training bill introduced in Congress following killing of Patrick Lyoya

The union representing police officers in a Michigan city is defending the officer who shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head.

The union representing police officers in a Michigan city is defending the officer who shot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head.

A civil rights group is demanding that the Michigan attorney general investigate the police shooting of Patrick Lyoya, warning the longstanding relationship between the county prosecutor's office and Grand Rapids police could lead to bias.

No charges will be filed against an 82-year-old driver who struck and killed a pedestrian in western Michigan.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A man was charged Thursday with involuntary manslaughter in a house fire that killed his wife and three children in western Michigan. Robert Scales, 38, has said he was at work when the fire occurred in Grand Rapids in February. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker declined to discuss the case in detail but said there's no evidence that the fire was intentionally set. The fire victims were Xavier Woldeab, 15, Elijah Scales, 10, Robert Scales Jr., 14, and Wanedia Scales, 35. There was nothing I could do at that point," Robert Scales told WOOD-TV after the fire.