Outrage Erupts in Grand Rapids After Mistrial in Christopher Schurr Murder Case: Protesters Demand Justice for Patrick Lyoya

Grand Rapids, MI – May 8, 2025 — Outrage and grief spilled into the streets of Grand Rapids on Thursday evening following the court’s declaration of a mistrial in the high-profile murder case of former police officer Christopher Schurr, who fatally shot Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese refugee, during a traffic stop in April 2022.

The announcement of the mistrial came after days of deadlocked jury deliberations. The judge ultimately ruled that the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, triggering renewed pain and anger among Lyoya’s family, supporters, and activists who have long decried the shooting as an unjust use of deadly force by law enforcement.

“No Justice, No Peace” Echoes Across the City

Shortly after the ruling, hundreds of protesters — led by local activist groups and community organizers — gathered at Rosa Parks Circle, holding signs that read “Justice for Patrick,” “End Police Brutality,” and “Black Lives Matter.” The peaceful demonstration quickly grew in numbers and emotion, as chants of “No justice, no peace!” and “Say his name: Patrick Lyoya!” filled the air.

The crowd marched through downtown Grand Rapids, eventually making their way to the courthouse steps, where organizers delivered powerful speeches calling for systemic police reform and demanding that Schurr be retried.

“This mistrial is not the end — it’s the beginning of a new chapter in our fight for justice,” said Reverend Jarvis E. Johnson, one of the lead organizers of the march. “Patrick was unarmed. He was a son, a brother, a friend. We will not let his name fade into silence.”

Background on the Case

The case stems from an incident on April 4, 2022, when Officer Christopher Schurr pulled over Patrick Lyoya for an alleged license plate issue. Body camera and bystander footage captured a confrontation that escalated into a physical struggle. Schurr ultimately shot Lyoya in the back of the head while attempting to restrain him on the ground. The video sparked widespread outrage and national attention.

Schurr was charged with second-degree murder in June 2022 and pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defense. The trial, which began in April 2025 after multiple delays, lasted several weeks and featured testimony from use-of-force experts, forensic analysts, and eyewitnesses. The prosecution argued that Lyoya posed no deadly threat and that Schurr escalated the situation unnecessarily, while the defense contended the officer acted within his training during a volatile encounter.

After days of deliberation, the jury notified the judge that they were hopelessly deadlocked. The judge declared a mistrial, prompting emotional reactions both inside and outside the courtroom.

Family and Legal Reactions

Speaking outside the courthouse, Dorcas Lyoya, Patrick’s father, fought back tears as he addressed the crowd through a translator.

“We left the Congo to escape violence, to find peace. But now I have lost my son in a country that promised safety,” he said. “We are heartbroken, but we will not give up. We want another trial. We want justice.”

Ben Crump, the nationally recognized civil rights attorney representing the Lyoya family, also called on the state to retry Schurr.

“This is not a case where ambiguity clouds the facts,” Crump said. “This was a fatal overreach of police power, caught on video. The world saw it. Patrick Lyoya deserves accountability.”

City Response and Next Steps

The Grand Rapids Police Department has not issued a detailed statement regarding the mistrial but confirmed that additional officers were deployed Thursday evening to monitor protests and ensure public safety. As of late Thursday night, the demonstrations remained largely peaceful, with no major incidents reported.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office, which prosecuted the case, said it is “evaluating all legal options” and will decide in the coming days whether to pursue a retrial.

In the meantime, community leaders and activists say they are organizing continued demonstrations, vigils, and public forums to keep Patrick Lyoya’s memory alive and to pressure the justice system into action.

A Symbol of a Larger Struggle

Patrick Lyoya’s death has become a rallying cry in Michigan and across the nation, symbolizing the broader movement for racial justice, police accountability, and the protection of Black lives. For many, the mistrial is not just a legal setback — it’s a painful reminder of a system they feel continues to fail communities of color.

“This isn’t just about one officer or one incident,” said activist Marisa Clark. “This is about generations of trauma, about a system that allows unarmed Black men to be killed with impunity. We won’t stop until there is real change.”

As night fell in Grand Rapids, candles were lit, prayers were said, and the crowd stood together — not in defeat, but in defiance — vowing to continue their fight for justice in Patrick Lyoya’s name.