GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — On Thursday, dozens showed up in front of the Kent County Courthouse as a show of support for Patrick Lyoya and his family. Candles could be seen lit, even through the windy weather. And you could hear chants from the crowd, including Lyoya's name.
Lyoya was killed on April 4, 2022 on Grand Rapids' southeast side by ex-Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr.
After being pulled over, Lyoya got out of his car and disregarded Schurr's commands. The two eventually were involved in a physical altercation fighting over Schurr's taser. The altercation ended with Lyoya face down on the ground, shot in the back of the head by the now ex-GRPD officer.
Since then, Schurr's jury trial has been delayed.
"It's been two years and it feels like it's dying down," said Patrick's brother Thomas Lyoya beside his dad.
As his brother Thomas said, the delays in Schurr's have been frustrating for the Lyoya family.
"You try to stay positive as much as you can in situations like this, but then it rolls around this time of the year," said Thomas. "And you know, you just basically try to like, keep it together. You know, especially for like, everyone that's young, you know, his case, all the, like, my little brothers, I still, they still don't comprehend the whole thing."
And since his death, both family and community activists have been trying to keep Patrick's name alive.
"We try to show up to this stuff and hope, hope, you know, always hope that it'll make a difference. Because we've been doing this for two years," said Thomas.
The trial has been delayed twice because of appeals by Christopher Schurr's attorneys.
On Saturday afternoon, the same group that organized the vigil will be holding a march, starting at Fish Ladder Park in Grand Rapids.
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