Community members condemn Grand Rapids Police at city commission meeting
Micah Colby, 21, addresses the Grand Rapids City Commission meeting on May 13, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Approximately 50 residents gathered at a Grand Rapids City Commission meeting Tuesday where some voiced calls for justice for Patrick Lyoya during public comments.
The meeting followed last Thursday's mistrial of Christopher Schurr, the white ex-Grand Rapids police officer who fatally shot Lyoya, a Black motorist, following a 2022 traffic stop.
Schurr pulled Lyoya, a Congolese immigrant, over on April 4, 2022 for having a license plate that didn't match the car he was driving. When Lyoya couldn't produce a driver's license, Schurr attempted to place him under arrest, at which point Lyoya attempted to flee. A struggle ensued, which ended when the officer pulled out his handgun and fatally shot Lyoya in the back of the head. The mistrial followed nearly a week of deliberations.
A round of intense comments from more than a dozen residents wanting justice for Lyoya and changes within the police department came after the city's budget agenda.
'In our city, the police are out of control. As of right now, the police have no accountability and unfortunately, you cannot have a militarized police force that thinks that they are allowed to use force in that way,' said Micah Colby, 21.
'Under the Trump administration, the funding and militarization of the police is dangerous,' Colby highlighted.
As the comments in support of Lyola continued, some Schurr supporters in the back of the room scoffed at the speeches, generating some tension in the meeting.
Jeff Osborne, a man wearing a Trump polo shirt with the phrase 'fight' emphasized his support for the police during his public commentary.
'The cop protected us from the mob during the protests. I just want to thank the boys in blue,' said Osborne.
As the meeting progressed, community members criticized the police's actions and the lack of justice.
'It's always the same thing. The thin blue line is a gang. It's all across the country. I've watched as they've celebrated behind barriers, under those thin blue line flags after they've killed black and brown bodies,' said Kenneth Cortez, 37.
Towards the end of the meeting, when the commissioners were giving their final comments, they were disrupted by Lyoya supporters without escalating the situation.
'It is great comfort to me to have people up here who have a heart for justice and for trying to serve this community. It is very hard to not pretend we are perfect,' said Mayor David LaGrand before being interrupted by some residents when he was referring to Schurr.
'He [Shurr] murdered somebody,' was heard from the public.
The meeting ended after LaGrand's comments without any incident.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker has yet to decide whether he will seek a retrial of Schurr.
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The Grand Rapids City Commission meeting on May 13, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
The Grand Rapids City Commission meeting on May 13, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Attendees at the Grand Rapids City Commission meeting on May 13, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Micah Colby, 21, addresses the Grand Rapids City Commission meeting on May 13, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Micah Colby, 21, addresses the Grand Rapids City Commission meeting on May 13, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Attendees at the Grand Rapids City Commission meeting on May 13, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
Attendees at the Grand Rapids City Commission meeting on May 13, 2025 | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz
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