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Transcript/Script
MI POLICE SHOOTING
HEADLINE: Family of Congolese Immigrant Killed in Traffic Stop Speaks Out
TEASER: Latest killing of a Black man by a white police officer prompts protesters to take to the streets in Michigan
PUBLISHED AT: 04/14/2022 at 9:04 pm
BYLINE: LAUREL BOWMAN
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Bowman, Reifenrath, DJ(ok)
VIDEO SOURCE (S):
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:11
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: ))
((WEB/TV INTRO))
[[Police in the U.S. state of Michigan say 26-year-old Congolese immigrant Patrick Lyoya was driving a car with license plates that didn’t match the vehicle, and that’s why he was pulled over. But what ensued was another deadly shooting of a Black man by a white police officer. Today, Lyoya’s family speaks out for the first time. Reporter Laurel Bowman has our story.
Warning: This video contains disturbing images and may not be suitable for all viewers.]]
((NARRATOR))
The video is difficult to watch. One minute, confused Congolese immigrant Patrick Lyoya is standing outside his car as a Michigan police officer approaches. He runs, a scuffle ensues … and here the officer stands over his lifeless body after shooting him in the head.
Local police say the 26-year-old was stopped for a traffic violation.
((NARRATOR))
For the first time, his family members speak out. [[Radio: … including his father, Peter Lyoya, and his mother, Dorcas Lyoya]]
((Peter Lyoya, Father of Patrick Lyoya))
:26 “I didn’t know that here in America there can be an execution style to kill someone … to kill someone with a gun and to be killed by a police officer. And my wish now, I knew that if you met with a police officer in America, you would be safe.”
((Dorcas Lyoya, Mother of Patrick Lyoya))
“When we run away from the war from Congo because we were in an area that was not safe — there was a war — and I thought I came to a safe land, a haven, a safe place. And I am surprised that my son has been killed with bullets.”
((NARRATOR)) The police officer who shot Patrick is on paid leave. His name has not been released. [[Radio: Eric Winstrom is Grand Rapid’s police chief. ]]
((Eric Winstrom, Grand Rapids Police Chief))
1:46 “There’s an entire investigation being conducted by the Michigan State Police which I do not have access to by design for conflict of interest. I will not make a policy decision, nor will I come to a conclusion of criminal law at this time.”
((NARRATOR))
The attorney representing the family wants the officer charged and prosecuted. [[Radio: Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing the family and wants the officer charged and prosecuted. ]]
((Ben Crump, Civil Rights Attorney))
:21 “Our leaders in the United States of America … we are condemning Russian soldiers for shooting civilians in Ukraine in the back of the head."
((NAT SOUND PROTESTS))
((NARRATOR))
And protesters have taken to the streets demanding justice. [[Radio: … Brianna Pearson is among protesters who took to the streets demanding justice. ]]
((Brianna Pearson, Activist))
“We got to speak up, and there has to be change that needs to be made, but change is not going to happen unless our voices are heard.”
((NARRATOR)) Police killings of Black men and women in America hit raw nerves. And this latest incident does just that … harkening back to the 2020 murder of Black man George Floyd by a white police officer in Minnesota, which set off racial justice protests across the country.
((Laurel Bowman, VOA News, Washington))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
WASHINGTON D. C.
Embargo DateApril 14, 2022 22:11 EDT
Byline
((Laurel Bowman, VOA News, Washington))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
