Hopefully, readers dig just a bit more below the shocking headline because, if the reader does that, the reader will get this description, with my commentary in bold and italics:
Lyoya, 26, was a Congolese refugee and came to America in 2014 to escape violence. On April 4, he was sitting in his car, parked by a curb, when the officer approached him and asked for identification. Okay, this sounds normal
The officer said Lyoya’s license plates were not registered to the vehicle he was driving. Lyoya tried to flee on foot, and the officer and Lyoya struggled on the ground. The officer tried to give Lyoya an electric shock, but Lyoya grabbed the stun gun, attempting to keep from being struck. Okay, this sounds abnormal. Lyoya is trying to take the officer's stun gun, thereby arming himself. Why did Lyoya think this would be a reasonable solution? Why would he flee if he was 1000% innocent?
The officer then grabbed his gun and appeared to fire a shot into the back of Lyoya’s head or neck, killing him.Okay, this sounds awful for the officer and (obviously) for Lyoya. Serious question: should the officer not have defended himself? Should the officer have allowed Lyoya to stun the officer? Is that the "just" thing that should have been done.
Demonstrations have taken place outside the Grand Rapids Police Department for days, with protestors demanding more information and for the police officer to be charged. The officer, a seven-year veteran, has been placed on paid leave. Okay, I agree that more information should be released, but what happens if the police officer is found innocent in any upcoming court case? Do you really think that the police officer will have a way to continue working if his name is out there?
"They need to release the cop’s identity. They need to hold the cop accountable for every action that he did, because we’ve seen the whole video," Lyoya’s cousin told local media. "I feel disgusted that he’s home right now sitting home watching TV and still getting paid." I get it. I really do. It must be awful for Lyoya's cousin right now. I also don't believe establishing a media narrative about how awful of a person the police officer is will bring Lyoya back to life.
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