Timeline of Events Since Breonna Taylor's Shooting Death by Police

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This article provides a detailed timeline of events that unfolded after the police killing of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman, in her home in Louisville, Kentucky in March 2020. The timeline covers a range of developments over the past several years, including the arrest of Taylor's boyfriend, the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit, the firing of the police chief, the passage of 'Breonna's Law' banning no-knock warrants, the settlement with Taylor's family, the lack of charges against the officers involved, and the ongoing legal battles and investigations.

Why it matters

The death of Breonna Taylor sparked outrage and protests across the country, shining a light on issues of police brutality, racial injustice, and the use of no-knock warrants. This timeline highlights the long and complex process of seeking accountability and reform in the wake of this tragic incident, underscoring the challenges in achieving justice and enacting meaningful change.

The details

On March 13, 2020, officers serving a narcotics warrant fatally shot Breonna Taylor in her home in Louisville, Kentucky. In the hours after the shooting, police announced the arrest of Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, for wounding an officer during an exchange of gunfire. However, Taylor's identity was not initially revealed. Over the following months, the shooting remained out of the headlines as the COVID-19 pandemic spread. In April 2020, Taylor's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the police department and city, challenging the police narrative. In May 2020, prosecutors dropped the attempted murder charges against Walker, and his anguished 911 call was released, sparking large protests in Louisville. In the following months, the city banned the use of no-knock warrants, fired the police chief, and reached a $12 million settlement with Taylor's family, promising police reforms. However, no officers were charged for their role in Taylor's death. The case has since been the subject of ongoing legal battles, federal investigations, and attempts to hold the officers accountable.

• On March 13, 2020, officers serving a narcotics warrant fatally shot Breonna Taylor in her home.
• In March and April 2020, the shooting stayed out of the headlines as the COVID-19 pandemic spread in the U.S.
• On April 27, 2020, Taylor's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the police department and city.
• On May 22, 2020, prosecutors announced they would drop attempted murder charges against Kenneth Walker, Taylor's boyfriend.
• On June 11, 2020, the Louisville Metro Council unanimously passed 'Breonna's Law', which banned the use of no-knock warrants.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Federal prosecutors have indicated they intend to retry former Louisville police detective Brett Hankison, who was charged in the police raid that killed Breonna Taylor. Additionally, the Department of Justice has filed a motion to dismiss the criminal case against former Louisville officers Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany, who were accused of falsifying the warrant that led to the deadly raid.