On March 13, 26-year-old Breonna Taylor was shot & killed in her home by @LMPD. Taylor, an EMT who hoped to become a nurse, was shot at least 8 times when the police executed a botched "no-knock" search warrant at 1am.
Police had apparently suspected her home was used to receive drugs. But she had no criminal history and no drugs were found in Taylor's apartment. The police did not have body cameras.
Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, thought his home was being broken into. He reportedly fired his gun in what he believed was self defense, wounding an officer. In response, police fired more than 20 rounds into the apartment. Taylor, unarmed, was shot & killed by the police.
@LMPD say that despite the "no-knock" warrant, they identified themselves before using a battering ram to enter Taylor's residence, where Taylor & Kenneth, were in bed.
But neighbors & Taylor's family dispute that, saying police never identified themselves.
But neighbors & Taylor's family dispute that, saying police never identified themselves.
“In a 911 call just after the shots were fired, Mr. Walker told a dispatcher that ‘somebody kicked in the door and shot my girlfriend,’ according to a recording released this week.” - @nytimes
“Police already located the main suspect in the investigation by the time they burst into the apartment. But they “then proceeded to spray gunfire into the residence with a total disregard for the value of human life,” - @nytimes
The three @LMPD officers who shot at least 20 rounds and killed Breonna in her bed:
(L to R, Myles Cosgrove, Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison)
(L to R, Myles Cosgrove, Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison)
The 3 officers have not been charged but placed on administrative reassignment. Weeks ago Attorney General @kyoag said he would review the evidence.
We need action.
Call:
@GovAndyBeshear:
502-564-2611
Attorney General @kyoag: 502-696-5300
@louisvillemayor:
502-574-2003
We need action.
Call:
@GovAndyBeshear:
502-564-2611
Attorney General @kyoag: 502-696-5300
@louisvillemayor:
502-574-2003
We know @senatemajldr and @RandPaul don’t consider getting justice for Breonna a priority, but we do.
(L to R, #MylesCosgrove, #JonathanMattingly, #BrettHankison)
(L to R, #MylesCosgrove, #JonathanMattingly, #BrettHankison)
UPDATE: the @LMPD’s “no knock” tactic was illegal.
“Except for the most extreme circumstances, the police must knock, announce themselves & give time for the occupants to answer the door peacefully & avoid the potential violence & destruction of a forced entry.” @washingtonpost
“Except for the most extreme circumstances, the police must knock, announce themselves & give time for the occupants to answer the door peacefully & avoid the potential violence & destruction of a forced entry.” @washingtonpost
According to the 1995 Supreme Court case Richards v Wisconsin: the police must show why each individual suspect may be a threat to dispose of evidence, flee or attack the police.
The @LMPD did NOT do this in the case of Breonna Taylor.
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/…
The @LMPD did NOT do this in the case of Breonna Taylor.
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/…
“Police claim to have repeatedly knocked and announced themselves before forcing their way inside. Yet, according to Taylor’s attorneys, 16 people in the densely populated neighborhood around Taylor say they heard the gunshots but never heard the police announce themselves.”
