BLACK LIVES SHOULD MATTER
Is Capturing a Black Man More Important Than Life Itself?
Responding to the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya
What began as a routine traffic stop ended in tragedy. On April 4th, a Grand Rapids police officer shot Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Black man, “in the back of his head.” Since then, numerous White people have taken to social media to blame Lyoya for his own death, suggesting he deserved what he got for running away.
However, according to Michigan’s resisting arrests statutes, someone convicted of a non-violent incidence of resisting arrest would serve up to “2 years and, or pay a fine up to $2,000.” The death penalty is not listed as a potential punishment, yet a White officer took it up himself to be Lyoya’s judge and jury. So, I have to ask, is capturing a Black man more important than life itself? Because that’s how some officers behave as if someone fleeing from them is reason enough to justify lethal force.
An onlooker recorded the incident, which has gone viral on social media. The officer deactivated his bodycam footage right before shooting Lyoya, so the onlooker’s video footage is important here. However, it’s unclear if the district attorney will charge the officer since few officers lose their jobs for shooting citizens, let…
