A Michigan judge declared a mistrial Thursday after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict in the case of Christopher Schurr, a police officer charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head during a 2022 traffic stop.
The impasse, reached on the fourth day of deliberations, means Schurr could be retried in the future. For now, it’s a partial reprieve for the former Grand Rapids officer, whose actions sparked weeks of public outrage after video footage of the killing was released.
Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese immigrant and father of two, was shot while lying face down as the officer attempted to subdue him. The incident intensified scrutiny of policing practices in the U.S. and came just one day after another high-profile acquittal, that of three former Memphis officers charged in Tyre Nichols’ fatal beating.
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In his testimony, Schurr claimed he feared for his life during a prolonged struggle after Lyoya took control of his Taser. “I believed that if I hadn’t done it at that time, I wasn’t going to go home,” he told the jury.
READ ALSO: Michigan officer cites fear for his life in trial over killing of African immigrant
Key video evidence, including footage from body and dash cameras and a cellphone video recorded by Lyoya’s passenger, was shown multiple times during the trial, according to a report. The struggle over the Taser became central to Schurr’s defense, as his attorneys argued that the use of deadly force was justified due to the risk of serious injury.
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Jurors had informed Judge Christina Mims earlier in the week that they were deadlocked. Though she encouraged them to keep working, they were ultimately unable to come to a decision on either the murder charge or the lesser included charge of manslaughter.
“Thank you for your time,” Mims told jurors as she officially ended proceedings. Schurr showed little emotion as the mistrial was announced. A man sitting with Lyoya’s family protested loudly before exiting the courtroom. The crowd was notably thinner than during earlier sessions of the trial.
The fatal encounter began on April 4, 2022, when Schurr stopped Lyoya’s vehicle for a license plate violation. Lyoya ran as Schurr requested his license. A chase followed, ending in a physical confrontation. After two unsuccessful Taser attempts, Lyoya gained possession of the device.
Schurr ordered him to “stop resisting” and “drop the Taser,” then shot him in the head.
READ ALSO: Former Memphis officers acquitted in state trial over Tyre Nichols’ death
At the time of the incident, Lyoya’s license was revoked and he was wanted in a domestic violence case—though Schurr was unaware of either. An autopsy showed Lyoya’s blood-alcohol content was roughly three times the legal limit.
Schurr, who was later fired by the Grand Rapids Police Department, claimed he was physically and emotionally exhausted. He described the Taser as capable of inflicting “excruciating pain.”
Expert witnesses were divided. Those brought by the defense said Schurr’s use of deadly force was warranted. Prosecutors countered that he had other options, such as disengaging or letting Lyoya flee.
Lyoya’s story reflects a painful pattern shared by other Black immigrants killed during encounters with U.S. law enforcement. His name now appears alongside those like Amadou Diallo, Abner Louima, and Botham Jean—individuals whose deaths amplified global calls to confront systemic racism in policing.
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