After 20 hours of deliberation, a Michigan jury failed to reach a verdict in the murder trial of former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr, resulting in a mistrial that leaves both the officer’s future and justice for Patrick Lyoya’s family hanging in the balance.

At a Glance

• Former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr faced second-degree murder charges for fatally shooting Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese immigrant, during a 2022 traffic stop
• The jury deliberated for approximately 20 hours before the judge declared a mistrial
• Video evidence showed Schurr shot Lyoya in the back of the head while he was facedown on the ground after a struggle over a Taser
• Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker has not yet decided whether to retry the case
• Schurr was fired in June 2022, and the city of Grand Rapids was later dismissed from a $100 million federal civil lawsuit filed by Lyoya’s family

Details of the Fatal 2022 Encounter

The case stems from an April 4, 2022 traffic stop when Officer Christopher Schurr pulled over Patrick Lyoya for having license plates that didn’t match his vehicle. Video evidence presented at trial showed that Lyoya, a 26-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, initially exited his vehicle but then ran when asked to produce his driver’s license.

Schurr pursued him, and a physical struggle ensued on the front lawn of a residential property.
During the altercation, Schurr attempted to subdue Lyoya with a Taser. The defense argued that Lyoya attempted to gain control of the officer’s Taser, which they claimed justified Schurr’s subsequent actions. The confrontation ended with Schurr restraining Lyoya face down on the ground with his knee before shooting him once in the back of the head at close range. An independent autopsy confirmed the manner of death.

Legal Arguments and Jury Deadlock

Throughout the trial, the prosecution argued that Schurr used excessive force and acted improperly according to his police training. They focused on the fact that Lyoya was facedown and restrained when the fatal shot was fired. Meanwhile, the defense contended that Schurr was justified in using deadly force once he believed Lyoya had control of the Taser, which they characterized as a dangerous weapon that could have been used against the officer.

“This was not an easy case. This was not a simple case.” – Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said.

After approximately 20 hours of deliberation across multiple days, the jury informed the judge they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict, leading to the declaration of a mistrial. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker must now decide whether to retry the case, dismiss the charges, or pursue another resolution. Becker stated he would consider community interests before making his decision.

A mistrial was declared in the trial of a former Grand Rapids police officer in the 2022 shooting of Patrick Lyoya, who was fatally shot following a traffic stop. https://t.co/vmjBpcMnQE

— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 8, 2025

Reactions from Both Sides

The Lyoya family expressed profound disappointment with the outcome. Peter Lyoya, Patrick’s father, spoke through an interpreter, vowing to continue seeking justice for his son. The family’s attorney in a separate civil case, Ven Johnson, encouraged Prosecutor Becker to pursue a retrial. Outside the courthouse, demonstrators showed divided support, with some backing Schurr and others advocating for justice for Lyoya.

“We’re not going to be tired until when we get the justice for Patrick.”, said Peter Lyoya.

Schurr’s lead defense attorney, Matt Borgula, acknowledged his client’s mixed emotions about the result, noting that while disappointed by the lack of resolution, Schurr was relieved not to have been convicted. The Fraternal Order of Police had previously criticized the charges, suggesting they were influenced by public pressure rather than legal merit, an assertion Prosecutor Becker firmly denied.

A mistrial was declared when jurors couldn’t agree on a verdict in the second-degree murder trial of ex-Michigan officer Christopher Schurr in the death of Patrick Lyoya — a Black immigrant shot in the back of the head during a 2022 traffic stop. https://t.co/jJ38I9b50y

— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) May 8, 2025

Broader Implications

The case has significant implications for police accountability in Michigan and nationally. Schurr was fired by the Grand Rapids Police Department in June 2022, shortly after the incident. The shooting sparked protests in Grand Rapids, with demonstrators demanding police reforms and justice for Lyoya. In August 2023, a federal judge dismissed the city of Grand Rapids from a $100 million civil lawsuit filed by Lyoya’s family, though the suit against Schurr himself continues.

“This is not ‘winners and losers’ in this case. Christopher Schurr never wanted to take a life.”, said Matt Borgula.

The mistrial underscores the ongoing challenges in prosecuting law enforcement officers for on-duty actions. Statistics show that convictions of police officers in fatal shooting cases remain relatively rare, even with video evidence. For now, both Schurr and the Lyoya family await Prosecutor Becker’s decision on whether to pursue a second trial, while the case continues to highlight tensions between law enforcement practices and the communities they serve.