A police shooting in the US city of Grand Rapids has sparked protests and renewed debate about the use of force, after officers shot and killed 32-year-old Da’Quain Johnson during an arrest attempt.
Johnson, an African American man, was riding a bicycle on 18 February when police began to follow him. Officers later said they believed he was carrying a gun.
The pursuit ended in the parking area of an apartment complex. Police say Johnson slipped on ice and fell. A police dog was released and bit him. Moments later, officers fired their weapons.
Witnesses who live in the area say Johnson was lying face down when the shots were fired. Some said his hands were behind his back while the dog was still on him.
A video recorded by a neighbor captured officers shouting, “Stop moving, you’re going to get shot!” and “Drop the gun!” The weapon is not clearly visible in the footage.
Johnson’s mother, Angelica Johnson, strongly rejected the police version of events. In a video shared widely on social media, she said, “They executed my baby. They held his hands behind his back.”
She also said, “The evidence is there. Y’all couldn’t see it, but you will soon enough. But my son was shot in the back of the head. He was mauled in the neck by a dog. And the way he was shot… you could tell that his hands were being held behind his back.”
The family has hired civil rights lawyer Lee Merritt and is calling for a full and independent investigation.
According to BLACK NEWS, Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said Johnson was shot in the chest, not the head, and described claims from the family as “falsehoods.” He confirmed that a gun was recovered at the scene.
The police chief also said Johnson was on parole for weapons-related offences and argued that the officers’ actions were legally justified based on the threat they believed they faced.
The case has drawn attention across Michigan and beyond. Community members have questioned the police account and are asking why deadly force was used while a police dog was restraining the suspect.
Protests were held after video footage became public. Activists say the case highlights long-standing concerns in the United States about police treatment of Black men.
Johnson’s family says they want clear answers, the release of all evidence, and accountability if wrongdoing is found.
For now, the investigation continues.