In April, 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya was shot in the back of the head by police as he lay face down on the ground following a struggle with officers during a routine traffic stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The officer who killed him, Christopher Schurr, was charged on Thursday with second-degree murder.
As CNN reports, Schurr had originally been placed on paid leave and had his police powers suspended following the incident, which was caught on video and eventually seen by millions.
After an "exhaustive review" by state police and Kent County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Becker, the decision was made to charge Schurr with second-degree murder.
The charge came as a shock to many, but it was widely regarded, even by Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstrom, as "the right thing to do."
Lyoya's parents, who had originally fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Patrick to escape war, were pleased that their son's killer was facing the consequences of his actions.
"Patrick is not coming back. We are not going to see him again," Lyoya's father said via an interpreter, "and to show this point that the police officer will be charged, and is charged, that brings a little bit of consolation to our family because we see everybody that supports us, everybody who stands by us, they did a good job to get this kind of justice."
The Greater Grand Rapids NAACP also weighed in, saying they hope those involved will be "unbiased," and that "ultimately, officer Christopher Schurr will be convicted for his heinous actions."
Schurr turned himself in following the signing of an arrest warrant on Thursday, and is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday afternoon.
Winstrom has called for Schurr to be suspended without pay and potentially terminated. He will have a discharge hearing in the near future to determine his fate within the police force.
Lyoya's killing sparked outrage and led to protests in Grand Rapids and beyond.
Footage showed Lyoya struggling with police during a traffic stop before he was shot in the back of the head. Police called for medical aid, but it was too late.
Lyoya had multiple outstanding warrants at the time of his death, and as CNN reports, his blood-alcohol level was "more than three times the legal limit."
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