Outrage Grows Over Latest Police Killing in Grand Rapids

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A week after the police killing of Da'Quain Johnson, a Black man in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the community is voicing outrage over the incident and the city's history of police violence and racial discrimination. Johnson's death follows a pattern of unaccountable incidents involving the Grand Rapids Police Department, including the high-profile killing of Patrick Lyoya in 2022. Residents packed a City Commission meeting to share emotional testimonies and call for justice, but were met with what they describe as an inadequate response from city leaders.

Why it matters

The death of Da'Quain Johnson is the latest in a string of police killings that have disproportionately impacted communities of color in Grand Rapids, raising urgent questions about systemic racism, use of force policies, and accountability within the city's law enforcement. The community's continued demands for justice and change highlight the need for substantive reforms to address the GRPD's troubled history.

The details

According to reports, police were called about a potentially armed Black man on a bicycle, leading to a confrontation where officers deployed a K-9 unit. Johnson was viciously attacked by the dog and pinned to the ground by officers, who claimed he had a gun despite posing no apparent threat. Johnson was then shot three times in front of his family. The killing follows a pattern of incidents documented in a local zine, 'The Monsters We Know,' detailing a history of unpunished racist behavior and abuses of power by the GRPD.

• On March 2, 2026, the Grand Rapids Police Department was involved in the death of Da'Quain Johnson.
• In 2022, the GRPD was also involved in the killing of Patrick Lyoya, an incident that is still fresh in the minds of those fighting for justice for Johnson.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The community is calling for the release of body camera footage, the 911 call, and the autopsy report related to Da'Quain Johnson's death. They are also demanding that the city take concrete steps to address the GRPD's history of racial discrimination and police violence.