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Christopher Schurr is the Grand Rapids police officer who fatally shot Patrick Lyoya three weeks ago, Chief Eric Winstrom says in a statement. "I am confirming the name already publicly circulating," a statement says Monday afternoon.
Christoper Schurr reaches for his gun during the April 4 struggle. (Photo: Grand Rapids Police Department video)
The chief says he does so "in the interest of transparency, to reduce ongoing speculation, and to avoid any further confusion," The Detroit News reports. His name has been in unconfirmed social media posts.
Lyoya, a 26-year-old immigrant from Central Africa, was killed about three minutes after a traffic stop. Schurr, who joined the force in 2015 and is 31 now, tackled the driver when he ran and then fired into the back of his head during a brief tussle, videotaped by Lyoya's passenger.
Schurr is on paid administrative leave while Michigan State Police investigators wrap up a report for the county prosecutor.
Christopher Schurr (Photo: Grand Rapids Police/2015, via WDIV)
Lyoya's parents, their attorneys and street protesters had called for the officer to be identified. At his funeral Friday, the Rev. Al Sharpton said it was unacceptable that the officer's name would be released only if he’s charged with a crime, which had been the city's stance.
Now, as quoted by The News, the department says:
"Police reform requires evaluating many long-standing practices to ensure our actions are consistent with the best interests of the community and the individuals involved."
Patrick Lyoya (Photo: Alphonsine Falone Byiringiro)
The paper adds background:
Lyoya was face down on the ground and trying to rise when he was shot in the back of the head by Schurr, video released by police show. The White officer was on top of him and can be heard on video demanding that Lyoya take his hand off the officer’s stun gun.
The officer is heard earlier saying Lyoya was stopped because the license plate did not match the car Lyoya had been driving in a Grand Rapids neighborhood. Lyoya declined to get back into the vehicle as ordered and fled the scene. A short foot chase ensued before the deadly struggle.
Schurr became a city officer a year after graduating from Sienna Heights University with a degree in criminal justice eight years ago.
