-Avier Wanjou-Brass-

Cousins!

The Father of Patrick Lyoya, who was fatally shot and killed by a police officer, speaks out following his son’s tragic death!

The family of Lyoya is demanding the officer responsible for fatally shooting the 26-year-old to be fired and prosecuted. They explain Patrick was killed “like an animal” during a traffic stop.

According to New York Post, Lyoya, “a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was shot in the back of the head by a white officer while face-down on a patch of grass on April 4 during a struggle over the cop’s Taser in Grand Rapids.”

During a press conference, Patrick’s grieving parents, Peter and Dorcas Lyoya, called for the officer to be identified, prosecuted, and terminated.

“My life has come to the end,” Peter Lyoya said through an interpreter. “My life was Patrick, my son. I was thinking that Patrick would take my place. And to see that my son has been killed like an animal by this police officer, and to see this video they showed, I see that I have no life.”

Joining them during the press conference was civil rights attorney Ben Crump who “said the footage clearly showed the officer displayed “unnecessary [and] excessive” use of force during the encounter.” 

“And his mother and father and their family are asking that the state attorney charge him to the full extent of the law for killing their son, for breaking their hearts, for making his young children orphans,” Crump told reporters Thursday. “Equal justice requires it.”

Sources confirm that the unidentified officer, is a seven-year department veteran. As of right now he’s been placed on paid leave as the state continues to investigate the shooting

It has been indicated that Lyoyas plans to file a lawsuit in connection to the deadly shooting, hinting towards federal court.

We are praying for the family. It is sad Patrick had to lose his life like this. Hopefully, the officer will be charged and held fully accountable.