Breonna Taylor protests: Seattle police officer 'filmed rolling bike over demonstrator's head'
Protests broke out after announcement no officer would be charged with killing of Taylor
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Video has emerged appearing to show a Seattle cop rolling the wheel of his bicycle over the head of a protester who was lying down in the middle of a road during demonstrations over Kentucky prosecutors' decision not to charge officers over the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Livestream footage of Wednesday night's protest, captured by CJTV Media, showed a group of officers riding bikes towards protesters as they attempted to disperse crowds amid unrest in the city over the death of Taylor, who was gunned down by police at her home in Kentucky during a bungled raid.
As the group of police approached, one officer apparently proceeded to push his bike over the protester's head, instead of veering around him. It was not immediately clear if the man had been injured or whether he was attempting to block officers' paths; video appeared to show him being apprehended shortly after the incident.
Seattle Police Department (SPD) said that it was "aware" of the incident. "This matter will be referred to the Office of Police Accountability for further investigation," the force said in a statement. Some 13 people were arrested during the clashes and "multiple officers" injured, SPD added.
Protests also erupted in Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia and Washington after Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron announced no one would be charged with killing Taylor, a 26-year-old hospital worker, who was shot dead when three plainclothes officers stormed her Louisville home.
One of the officers, Brett Hankinson, has been charged with first-degree "wanton endangerment" for firing rounds into a neighbouring house. Sergeant John Mattingly and detective Myles Cosgrove, the two other cops, will face no charges, a grand jury decided.
Two Lousiville police offers were shot as protests over the decision descended into violence. Their condition has been described as stable.
Taylor was shot at least six times on 13 March by officers who entered her home during a narcotics investigation. The warrant used was connected to a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside. The use of no-knock warrants has since been banned by Louisville's Metro Council.
Kenneth Walker, Taylor's boyfriend, told police he fired one round after the couple's door was broken down and Mr Mattingly entered. Mr Walker said he thought someone was breaking into the house and didn't know that it was police who were entering.
After Mr Walker fired, the officers shot back. In total, police fired 32 gunshots. Delivering the grand jury decision on Wednesday, Mr Cameron, 34, said the fatal bullet was fired by Mr Cosgrove, but added that Mr Cosgrove and Mr Mattingly were justified in the use of force because they were shot at first. Mr Cameron said state law “bars us from seeking charges in Breonna Taylor’s death.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments