A judge declared a mistrial Thursday in the second-degree murder trial of a former Grand Rapids police officer who shot and killed Patrick Lyoya following a traffic stop in 2022.
Kent County Judge Christina Mims made the ruling after the jury informed the court it was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The decision ends the immediate proceedings for Christopher Schurr, though he could still face another trial.
Lyoya's death ignited weeks of protest in Grand Rapids after video of the confrontation was released publicly. Schurr, a seven-year veteran of the department, was fired after he was charged in 2022.
Schurr shot Lyoya, a Congolese immigrant, in the back of the head during a struggle after stopping Lyoya's vehicle for improper license plates on April 4, 2022.
Body camera and dash camera footage showed Lyoya running after Schurr requested his driver's license. Schurr pursued and a struggle ensued, during which the officer attempted to use his Taser. Lyoya gained control of the device, which fires electrically charged probes.
Schurr testified he feared for his life after losing control of the Taser during the intense struggle, believing he needed to use deadly force to go home safe. The prosecutor argued the Taser had already been deployed and could only be used in a different mode if turned against the officer.
It remains unclear why Lyoya attempted to flee. Records indicate his driver's license was revoked at the time, and an arrest warrant existed for him in a domestic violence case, information Schurr did not possess during the stop. An autopsy revealed his blood-alcohol level was significantly above the legal limit for driving.
The courtroom was under heavy security Thursday as the mistrial was announced. One spectator near Lyoya's family loudly objected as he exited.
Judge Mims thanked the jury members for their service.
