In the hours after Grand Rapids released video of an April 4 fatal police shooting, some of the candidates for governor in the upcoming 2022 general election have responded with their reactions to the news.
Patrick Lyoya, 26, was shot and killed April 4, following what police said was a traffic stop and struggle with an officer at a Southeast Grand Rapids intersection. Video footage of the shooting and traffic stop that preceded it was released Wednesday, April 13, by Grand Rapids Police Department.
Republican candidate Tudor Dixon said she stands “unequivocally with the police officer” who fatally shot Lyoya in the back of the head.
Related: See video in Grand Rapids police fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya
Republicans James Craig and Garrett Soldano each said it is too soon to judge without all the facts.
A statement from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is running for reelection in 2022, mentioned making Michigan more equitable for Black residents.
“Governor Whitmer and her party have predictably taken the side of the criminal. I would expect nothing less from the ‘Defund the Police’ party,” Dixon said, in her statement. “Far more shamefully, though, even my Republican opponents are cowering in fear, issuing mealy-mouthed ‘let’s wait and see’ statements and hoping this all blows over.”
Dixon said she’s sorry for the Lyoya family in her statement Thursday morning, but said we can’t “normalize people resisting arrest and physically aggressing police.”
“If you want to commit crimes and jeopardize the lives of our men and women in blue, you can head on down to Chicago or wherever doesn’t care if you hurt or kill people,” Dixon said. “We will not let this officer – or any officer – be sandbagged for reasonably protecting themselves by weak politicians who are afraid to say and do what is right.”
Craig, the former Detroit police chief, said he has addressed “many” deadly force incidents during his tenure.
“When an officer is faced with an imminent threat to his life or another person, deadly force may be the only option,” Craig said. “My prayers are with the Lyoya family, the Grand Rapids community, and the men and women who serve.”
Video footage released by GRPD Wednesday showed Lyoya get out of his car once approached by the officer. He fled briefly before the officer caught him, and repeatedly told him to stop resisting. The officer grabbed at Lyoya, then lost control shortly afterward and tried to use a Taser on Lyoya.
The officer fired the fatal shot while Lyoya was on the ground, the video shows. Lyoya was unarmed, according to Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom.
“The Taser was deployed unsuccessfully, and my core concern will always be whether there was an imminent threat to the officer’s life after the taser deployment,” Craig said, in his statement. “These facts will have to be vetted during the course of the investigation. We should wait for the independent MSP investigation to be completed.”
Whitmer, in her statement, said prosecutors must consider all evidence and take appropriate action on charges.
“Patrick’s father asked me to convey his hope that any demonstrations in his son’s honor remain peaceful, and as Governor I share this view,” Whitmer said. “We must come together and build a future where Black Michiganders are afforded equal rights, dignity, and safety in our communities. I will never stop fighting to make Michigan a more equitable and just state.”
Soldano called Whitmer’s statement “hot garbage” that furthers the “anti-police narrative,” in a Facebook Live on Thursday morning.
It is too soon to pick sides, Soldano said, adding that he is praying for the families of Lyoya and the police officer. He also encouraged people to respect police officers and not make sudden movements or resist them.
“If you do not resist, it is very, very, very rare that you are going to get shot by a police officer, if you do exactly what they tell you to do,” Soldano said.
Republican Kevin Rinke also issued a statement, Thursday afternoon.
“What happened in Grand Rapids is a tragedy. I trust the Michigan State Police to conduct a full and complete investigation that will help deliver the facts,” Rinke said in the statement. “My wife Janine and I will continue to pray for the Lyoya family, the officer involved and the entire Grand Rapids community.”
Other candidates who have announced plans to run for governor – including Perry Johnson, Michael Brown, Ryan Kelley, Michael Markey and Ralph Rebandt – had not made public statements about the shooting, as of Thursday afternoon.
The candidates for governor have until Tuesday afternoon, April 19, to submit at least 15,000 signature to be eligible for the August gubernatorial primary.
RELATED STORIES:
‘Name the killer cop’: Hundreds protest in Grand Rapids in response to fatal police shooting
Comments