Mistrial Declared in Patrick Lyoya Case: Jury Deadlocks in Trial of Ex-Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr After Four Days of Deliberation

A Michigan courtroom was the center of national attention on Thursday, May 8, 2025, as a Kent County jury declared itself hopelessly deadlocked in the case of former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr, who stood trial for the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya during a controversial traffic stop nearly three years ago.

After four days of intense deliberation, the jury informed the court it could not reach a unanimous decision on the charges, leading Circuit Court Judge Christina Mims to declare a mistrial just before noon.

The Incident That Sparked Outrage

The shooting occurred on April 4, 2022, when Officer Schurr pulled over Lyoya, a Congolese refugee, for a license plate issue. Body camera footage later released by the Grand Rapids Police Department showed a physical struggle between the two men after Lyoya attempted to flee the stop.

The encounter ended with Officer Schurr firing a single, fatal shot to the back of Lyoya’s head while pinning him to the ground. The graphic nature of the incident, captured on both bodycam and a nearby cellphone, ignited widespread protests, renewed calls for police reform, and drew national scrutiny from civil rights organizations.

Schurr was charged with second-degree murder in June 2022—an extremely rare criminal charge for an on-duty Michigan police officer.

A Jury Divided

The jury began deliberations on Monday following a three-week trial that featured emotionally charged testimony from both sides. Prosecutors argued that Schurr used excessive and unnecessary force, highlighting that Lyoya was unarmed and face-down when he was killed.

Defense attorneys countered that Schurr acted within his training and in self-defense, claiming that Lyoya had reached for the officer’s Taser during the struggle.

By Thursday morning, jurors sent a note to Judge Mims indicating they remained at an impasse, with no possibility of a unanimous verdict. Judge Mims thanked the jurors for their service and officially declared the case a mistrial.

Family and Community Reaction

The decision triggered mixed emotions inside and outside the courtroom. Patrick Lyoya’s family, many of whom fled violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo to seek safety in the United States, expressed grief and frustration over the lack of closure.

“Our hearts are broken all over again,” said Dorcas Lyoya, Patrick’s mother, through a translator. “We came to America for safety and justice. My son did not get either.”

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has represented the Lyoya family since the beginning, called the outcome “deeply disappointing but not surprising,” and urged the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office to retry the case.

“This mistrial is not the end,” Crump said. “Justice delayed must not become justice denied.”

What’s Next?

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker now faces a crucial decision—whether to retry the case, offer a plea agreement, or drop the charges entirely. In a brief statement Thursday afternoon, Becker said his office would review all aspects of the trial, meet with the Lyoya family, and make a determination in the coming weeks.

Legal experts note that a retrial is possible but not guaranteed, especially given the challenges of securing a conviction in police shooting cases, where jurors often give officers the benefit of the doubt in fast-moving and life-threatening situations.

Ongoing Implications

The case has become a flashpoint in the national debate over policing, racial justice, and the use of deadly force by law enforcement. Advocacy groups such as the ACLU of Michigan and Black Lives Matter Grand Rapids have pledged to continue pressuring local and state officials for changes in police accountability, training, and transparency.

Meanwhile, Christopher Schurr, who was fired by the Grand Rapids Police Department in 2022, remains free on bond. He has not spoken publicly since the trial began but appeared visibly emotional as the mistrial was announced.

The Grand Rapids Police Department has not issued a new statement as of Thursday evening but previously committed to cooperating with all legal proceedings and internal reviews.

A City Still Searching for Justice

As the sun set over downtown Grand Rapids Thursday night, small groups of protesters gathered peacefully outside the courthouse, holding signs that read, “Justice for Patrick” and “Deadlock is Not Justice.”

For now, the city remains on edge—caught between heartbreak, frustration, and an uncertain path forward.

Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available regarding the future of the case.