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Grieving Mothers Demand Answers in Grand Rapids Police Killing
Community protest calls for justice after fatal shooting of Black man by police
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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Angelica Johnson, the mother of Da'Quain Johnson who was fatally shot by police on February 18, stood alongside the mothers of two other Black men killed by police as she demanded answers and justice from the Grand Rapids Police Department. The crowd of around 200 people outside City Hall called for the department to name the officers involved and questioned the police narrative of the incident.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and communities of color, particularly around police use of force and accountability. The mothers' demands for justice and transparency reflect broader concerns about racial disparities in policing and the need for police reform.
The details
Angelica Johnson, along with the mothers of Samuel Sterling and Darius 'Karate' Wimberly, two other Black men killed by police, led the protest and called for the names of the officers involved in Da'Quain Johnson's shooting to be released. The police have not yet made the officers' identities public. Organizers also questioned the police's narrative, citing a bystander video that contradicts the limited body camera and dash cam footage released so far.
- Da'Quain Johnson was fatally shot by police on February 18, 2026.
- Samuel Sterling was killed in Kentwood in April 2024 when he was struck by a Michigan State Police car.
- Darius 'Karate' Wimberly was shot and killed by police in Benton Harbor in 2016.
The players
Angelica Johnson
The mother of Da'Quain Johnson, who was fatally shot by police on February 18, 2026.
Da'Quain Johnson
A Black man who was fatally shot by police on February 18, 2026.
Andrica Cage
The mother of Samuel Sterling, who was killed in Kentwood in April 2024 when he was struck by a Michigan State Police car.
Ayanna Johnson
The mother of Darius 'Karate' Wimberly, who was shot and killed by police in Benton Harbor in 2016.
Robert S. Womack
A Kent County Commissioner who spoke at the protest.
What they’re saying
“We're gonna get justice because we are tired of them killing our kids, tired of them killing our brothers. We are tired of them killing our sons, we are tired of them killing our daughters, we are tired.”
— Angelica Johnson (Michigan Advance)
“I'm gonna stand here for Samuel, for Darius 'Karate' and Da'Quain Tre Johnson. I will not rest until we all get some justice so we can all have peace.”
— Angelica Johnson (Michigan Advance)
“They're not just fighting for their kids, they're fighting for your kids.”
— Robert S. Womack, Kent County Commissioner (Michigan Advance)
What’s next
The Michigan State Police are currently investigating the killing of Da'Quain Johnson, and the Grand Rapids Police Department has not yet released the names of the officers involved.
The takeaway
This protest highlights the ongoing need for police accountability and transparency, especially in cases involving the use of lethal force against Black individuals. The mothers' demands for justice reflect the broader struggle for racial equity and an end to police brutality in communities of color.
