GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A tense standoff unfolded Tuesday afternoon outside the Grand Rapids courthouse as demonstrators gathered to voice their support for either Christopher Schurr, the police officer charged with second-degree murder in the death of Patrick Lyoya, or for Lyoya’s family seeking justice. The scene became chaotic around 5 p.m., prompting law enforcement to intervene.
Supporters of both Schurr and Lyoya clashed in the streets as tempers flared. Officers on bicycles were deployed to control the crowd, with police urging demonstrators to “move back” and using their bikes as barriers to separate the two sides. Authorities also resorted to deploying what they described as “inert powder,” which they assured was not tear gas or pepper spray and caused no pain. The powder was used as a warning, and police detained one individual, escorting them away from the scene with their hands restrained behind their back.
The demonstrations have been a consistent presence since Schurr’s trial began last week. While Schurr’s supporters have waved “thin blue line” flags, those backing Lyoya’s family have held signs demanding justice for the 26-year-old father, who was fatally shot by Schurr during a traffic stop in April 2022.
Tuesday’s intervention came as jury deliberations continued inside the courthouse. After closing arguments and testimony concluded earlier in the week, jurors informed the judge at approximately 3 p.m. that they had reached an impasse, unable to agree on a verdict. The judge instructed them to keep working toward a decision, and they were sent home around 4:45 p.m., with plans to reconvene Wednesday morning.
In interviews before the altercation, demonstrators from both sides expressed frustration and disappointment over the apparent deadlock. DeeDee Grier, a Lyoya supporter, voiced her belief that the case should be straightforward, describing Patrick Lyoya’s death as “murder.” Still, Grier emphasized the importance of respecting the judicial process, acknowledging that the jury must thoroughly examine the evidence before rendering a decision.
“I think that’s a lot of what we have been out here saying, that we have to at least get to this process,” Grier said. “Patrick wasn’t even allowed to get to this process.”
On the other side, Cathleen Walsh, a Schurr supporter who traveled from out of state to attend the trial, expressed cautious optimism. Walsh noted that the jury’s deadlock did not surprise her, acknowledging the difficulty of the case. She remained hopeful that, with more time to review the evidence, the jury would ultimately reach a fair verdict.
“I was hoping for a not guilty verdict, and when we found out the jury was deadlocked, I gotta say, I am not surprised at all,” Walsh remarked. “This is a tough case, so it’s a tough decision. So they will go back in and hopefully study things and we want them to come out with a true, just decision.”
As the trial continues and deliberations drag on, the tension surrounding the courthouse shows no signs of easing. Both sides await a resolution, but with emotions running high, it remains unclear when or how the jury will arrive at its verdict.
