Breonna Taylor
Breonna Taylor, 26, was shot and killed by police in her Louisville, Kentucky, apartment after officers busted through her door with a battering ram.
On March 13, 2020, when white plainclothes officers of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) forced entry into the apartment as part of an investigation into drug dealing operations. Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, was inside the apartment with her when the officers knocked on the door and then forced entry.
Officers said that they announced themselves as police before forcing entry, but Walker said he did not hear any announcement, thought the officers were intruders, and fired a warning shot at them. According to officials, it hit one of the officers and the officers fired 32 shots in return. Walker was unhurt but Taylor was hit by six bullets and died.
Taylor’s family has filed a lawsuit against the city and the officers involved in her death, and in May 2021, a large-scale federal police investigation in Louisville began.
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“I can’t believe it’s a year later and we’re still just asking people to do the right thing,” Taylor’s mother said. “Not to say all officers are bad, but there’s no accountability.”
“I don’t know what’s happening,” Taylor’s boyfriend said on a recorded call to 911. “Someone kicked in the door and shot my girlfriend.”
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from US President Joseph Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.
Letter to Biden
Letter to Garland
