The Four Police Officers Involved In Breonna Taylor’s Shooting Death Have Been Charged And Arrested

Four police officers in Louisville, Kentucky, are facing charges in connection with the death of Breonna Taylor, an emergency medical technician killed in her home in 2020 by plainclothes officers serving a “no-knock” search warrant. Taylor was in the home with her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker.

Taylor’s killing sparked months of protests over racial injustice.

Only one officer had been charged previously in the raid, but a jury acquitted former officer Brett Hankinson earlier this year for firing 10 shots – one of which landed in an adjoining apartment.

Hankinson now faces new charges along with former officer Joshua Jayne and serving officers Kelly Goodlett and Kyle Meany.

The charges were announced by the Department of Justice. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the officers are being charged with civil rights offenses, unlawful conspiracy related to a falsified affidavit, unconstitutional use of force and obstruction. Hankinson is also charged with excessive force.

Garland told reporters, “Breonna Taylor should be alive today.”

The search warrant obtained by police included Taylor’s name and address. Police said they believed her ex-boyfriend, Jamarcus Glover, was involved in a drug ring and had used her apartment to hide narcotics.

Taylor’s mother and supporters met with the Justice Department in March and called for an investigation.