The shooting of Da’Quain Johnson by two Grand Rapids Police Department officers has sparked nationwide discourse around police brutality, racial profiling and police accountability.
Around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, GRPD officers were alerted about a man on a bicycle carrying a firearm. Johnson was on parole for weapons violations. Johnson led officers on a chase for 90 seconds before turning into Eastern Lofts Apartments on Eastern Avenue and getting off his bike.
A K-9 was deployed on Johnson and a struggle ensued in which Johnson reached for a handgun, resulting in officers shooting him three times. Johnson was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery, but he died early Thursday morning. A pistol belonging to Johnson was recovered from the scene…