A criminal investigation is underway into the actions of a Grand Rapids police officer involved in a struggle and deadly shooting of a man pulled over for a traffic stop. One of the four videos of the incident showed the officer, who has been on the force for seven years, struggling with 26-year old Patrick Lyoya [ lee-oh-yah ] before shooting Lyoya, who was face down, in the head. The officer is on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom, who started as chief last month, called it a tragedy.
“It was just a progression of sadness for me,” Winstrom said. “So, the loss of life in any circumstance is sad, and when I know that it’s going to impact our city like this, it was more sad.”
The chief says he released the videos in the spirit of transparency. State police are investigating the shooting. A report is expected to be sent to the Kent County Prosecutor’s office which will determine if any criminal charges will be filed.
