Kent County Prosecutor Clears Officer in Fatal Shooting of Da'Quain Johnson

Family attorneys vow to continue independent investigation into the incident

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:07pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent bullet casing on a dark, textured surface, conceptually representing the violence and aftermath of a police shooting.The fatal shooting of Da'Quain Johnson by a Grand Rapids police officer has raised questions about accountability and transparency in law enforcement.Grand Rapids Today

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced on Thursday that he will not file charges against the Grand Rapids police officer who fatally shot Da'Quain Johnson during a traffic stop in February. Becker said the officer's use of force was reasonable based on evidence that Johnson was armed with a gun and reaching for it.

Why it matters

The decision not to prosecute the officer has sparked outrage from Johnson's family and their attorneys, who dispute the police narrative and plan to conduct their own investigation. The case highlights ongoing tensions over police accountability and the use of force, especially in incidents involving Black individuals.

The details

Becker said officers had a legitimate reason to stop Johnson, who was riding a bicycle without a light, and that they had received a tip about someone matching his description carrying a firearm. Becker said body camera footage showed Johnson reaching for something, which the officer believed was a gun, leading him to open fire and fatally shoot Johnson in the back.

  • The incident occurred on February 18, 2026.
  • Becker announced the decision not to file charges on April 2, 2026.

The players

Chris Becker

The Kent County prosecutor who announced the decision not to charge the officer involved in the shooting.

Da'Quain Johnson

The 23-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by a Grand Rapids police officer during a traffic stop.

Ven Johnson

An attorney representing the Johnson family, who described the decision as "deeply disappointing" and vowed to continue their own investigation.

Ben Crump

An attorney representing the Johnson family, who said the family deserves answers and that they will work to ensure the full truth comes to light.

Christopher Carlson

The Grand Rapids police officer who fatally shot Da'Quain Johnson.

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What they’re saying

“When a life is taken, there must be a thorough and transparent public process to determine what happened and why.”

— Ven Johnson and Ben Crump, Attorneys for the Da'Quain Johnson family

“The Johnson family deserves answers, and we intend to help them get those answers.”

— Ven Johnson and Ben Crump, Attorneys for the Da'Quain Johnson family

What’s next

The Johnson family's attorneys have vowed to continue their own independent investigation into the shooting, with the goal of uncovering the full truth of what happened.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions over police accountability and the use of force, especially in incidents involving Black individuals. The decision not to prosecute the officer has sparked outrage from the Johnson family and their attorneys, who dispute the police narrative and are determined to seek answers and transparency.