Breonna Taylor: Officer Receives Charges For Endangering Her Neighbors During Shooting
Over 190 days have passed since Breonna Taylor was shot in her own home by Louisville police officers, and the Attorney General of Kentucky has shared what charges will be brought against the officers responsible for her death. In March 2020, Breonna was at home asleep in bed with her boyfriend when three plainclothes officers issued a no-knock warrant on the 26-year-old’s home. They were investigating someone who was an associate of Breonna’s: an alleged drug dealer who had been arrested. Suspecting that she was trafficking items for the suspect, police stormed into her home and after her startled boyfriend fired a shot from his registered weapon, officers returned fire and murdered Breonna Taylor in her hallway.
There have been crowdfunding campaigns, protests, hashtags, memes, merchandise, songs, calls for justice—all in the name of seeing justice for Breonna Taylor. On Wednesday (September 23), the long-awaited news arrived, albeit the report was disappointing to allies. Only one officer, Brett Hankison, would face three counts of wanton endangerment charges for firing haphazardly through a door and window. Bullets from his firearm reportedly landed in neighboring apartments, one of which housed a pregnant woman and a child. Advocates have accused the justice system of determining Breonna’s death to be acceptable while bringing some sort of justice for her neighbors who were placed in harm’s way. Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron has announced that the other officers involved, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, will not face charges.
People arrested for protesting the murder of #BreonnaTaylor are being held on bonds up to $1,000,000, meanwhile her murderer posted bail for $15,000. The system is a joke.
— Francis Maxwell (@francismmaxwell) September 24, 2020
Unsurprisingly, protests and riots have erupted across the United States as a new wave of Black Lives Matter marches have taken to city streets. It’s been reported that two officers in Louisville have been shot and their injuries have been described as non-life-threatening. A suspect has been arrested. Daniel Cameron has spoken out against emotional responses to the Breonna Taylor indictment news, saying, “Justice is not often easy. It does not fit the mold of public opinion. And it does not conform to shifting standards. It answers only to the facts and to the law,” said Cameron. “If we simply act on emotion or outrage, there is no justice. Mob justice is not justice. Justice sought by violence is not justice — it just becomes revenge.”
President Donald Trump praised his party affiliate. “Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is doing a fantastic job. I think he’s a star,” said Trump.
Meanwhile, LeBron James grabbed social media attention when he tweeted his frustrations with the grand jury’s decision. “The most DISRESPECTED person on earth is THE BLACK WOMAN! I promise you I’ll do my best to change this as much as I can and even more!! LOVE to you QUEENS all over this country and beyond!”
I stand by Black women. I stand by my sisters. Justice for Breonna Taylor.
#HappeningNow San Diego protest for Breonna Taylor and #BlackLivesMatter at 8th and B in Downtown. pic.twitter.com/M2pBAFX3Us
— Nick Serrano (@TheNickSerrano) September 24, 2020
A massive march in NYC took over the streets of Brooklyn & Manhattan earlier tonite to demand justice for #BreonnaTaylor. Both the Manhattan & Williamsburg bridges were shut down by protesters. Quite a bit of political artwork got put up throughout the night too. pic.twitter.com/dZFsHBOaP9
— Ash J (@AshAgony) September 24, 2020
Portland Police Officer runs up to and shoves a medic to the pavement. #PortlandProtests #BreonnaTaylorMatters #BreonnaTaylor #BLM #PDX #JusticeForBreonnaTaylor #BlackLivesMatter #portland pic.twitter.com/rQ7h3Nxowd
— Gare (rison) Davis (@hungrybowtie) September 24, 2020
Protests are happening across the country in response to the news today from a grand jury in #Kentucky that they're not filing charges against the police who murdered #BreonnaTaylor. Taylor was a 26-year-old EMT. 📷:Hundreds in #Denver, #Colorado take part in a local protest. pic.twitter.com/dbdi0Xorzu
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) September 24, 2020
Protesters with umbrellas as shields face off with incoming teargas canisters shot off their way. #PortlandProtests #BreonnaTaylorMatters #BreonnaTaylor #BLM #PDX #JusticeForBreonnaTaylor #BlackLivesMatter #portland pic.twitter.com/9Op81Ap2fH
— Gare (rison) Davis (@hungrybowtie) September 24, 2020
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