Mother Refutes Police Narrative After Seeing Son's Body in Grand Rapids Shooting

Da-Quain Johnson's mother challenges GRPD and attorney claims after viewing her son's body, saying "the photos will speak for their self."

Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:49am

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The mother of Da-Quain Johnson was allowed to see her son's body for the first time on Friday, two days after he was shot and killed by Grand Rapids police in an officer-involved shooting. Angelica Johnson said she was not prepared for what she saw and will not rest until she gets answers. The shooting occurred on Wednesday night, and multiple videos from different perspectives have been released. The attorney representing the officers involved stated that the officers had the legal and moral right to protect their lives, but Johnson's family is pushing back on the police narrative based on the evidence they have seen.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the community, particularly in incidents involving the use of deadly force by police. The family's refusal to accept the official narrative and their demand for transparency and accountability reflect the broader issues of police accountability and the need for independent investigations of such incidents.

The details

According to the reports, the shooting occurred on Wednesday night in an apartment complex parking lot near Eastern Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Street. Grand Rapids Police Department stated that one officer fired their department-issued weapon, and Johnson later died at the hospital. Multiple videos from different perspectives have been released, including body and dash cam footage from the officers, as well as a bystander video. The attorney representing the officers involved claimed that the officer stated, "I saw the barrel pointed right at my face," but Johnson's family is questioning the validity of this claim based on the evidence they have seen.

  • The shooting occurred on Wednesday night, February 19, 2026.
  • Angelica Johnson was allowed to see her son's body for the first time on Friday, February 21, 2026.

The players

Angelica Johnson

The mother of Da-Quain Johnson, who was shot and killed by Grand Rapids police.

Da-Quain Johnson

A 25-year-old man who was shot and killed by Grand Rapids police in an officer-involved shooting.

Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD)

The law enforcement agency responsible for the officer-involved shooting of Da-Quain Johnson.

Marc Curtis

The attorney representing the officers involved in the shooting of Da-Quain Johnson.

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What they’re saying

“I was not prepared for what I walked into. I still have not processed what I saw. I will not rest until I get answers.”

— Angelica Johnson, Mother of Da-Quain Johnson

“Officers have the legal and moral right to protect their own lives and the lives of others when faced with an imminent threat.”

— Marc Curtis, Attorney representing the officers

“I don't have too much to say on it, because the photos will speak for their self. The police won't spin a narrative on my words or the pictures.”

— Angelica Johnson, Mother of Da-Quain Johnson

“If you're going to protest, please make it peaceful. Because if you can't do it peacefully, please don't March at this time and say that you're doing it on behalf of my son, because I can't get justice if we're being violent, too.”

— Angelica Johnson, Mother of Da-Quain Johnson

What’s next

The family and community activists are continuing to push for transparency and accountability in the investigation of the shooting. The judge will likely make a decision on whether to allow the officers involved to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the community, particularly in incidents involving the use of deadly force by police. The family's refusal to accept the official narrative and their demand for transparency and accountability reflect the broader issues of police accountability and the need for independent investigations of such incidents.