Community Gathers for Caravan Protesting Police Use of Force Incidents

Organizers say the demonstration was for all those who have died from police violence, not just the recent shooting of Da'Quain Johnson.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:21am

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In the wake of a decision not to charge the officers involved in the shooting of 32-year-old Da'Quain Johnson, a community caravan was held in Grand Rapids, Michigan to protest police use of force incidents. The caravan made stops at the sites where Johnson and 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya were killed by police officers, with Johnson's mother expressing frustration at the lack of presence from local leaders.

Why it matters

The caravan highlights the ongoing tensions and demands for accountability around police use of force, particularly in communities of color. It also reflects the broader challenges of achieving justice and reform in the aftermath of such incidents.

The details

The caravan, organized by community leaders, began at Modern Hardware before taking their message to the streets. The first stop was on the city's southeast side, where Patrick Lyoya was shot and killed by a Grand Rapids police officer in 2022. The second stop was near Eastern Avenue and Sherman Street, where Da'Quain Johnson was shot and killed by a Grand Rapids police officer nearly two months ago. Johnson's mother, Angelica Johnson, expressed intense emotion at the scene, calling out local leaders for what she described as a lack of presence.

  • On April 5, 2026, the caravan was held in response to a decision not to try the officers involved in the shooting of 32-year-old Da'Quain Johnson.
  • In 2022, 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya was shot and killed by a Grand Rapids police officer.

The players

Da'Quain Johnson

A 32-year-old man who was shot and killed by a Grand Rapids police officer nearly two months ago.

Patrick Lyoya

A 26-year-old man who was shot and killed by a Grand Rapids police officer in 2022.

Angelica Johnson

The mother of Da'Quain Johnson, who expressed frustration at the lack of presence from local leaders during the caravan.

Chris Becker

The Kent County Prosecutor who decided not to try the officers involved in the shooting of Da'Quain Johnson.

Cle Jackson

The President of the NAACP, who said the organization left the caravan event due to prior obligations.

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What they’re saying

“What we wanted to do was acknowledge Lyoya because his parents and his family isn't here right now so we still wanted to remind the city to say Patrick Lyoya's name.”

— Angelica Johnson, Mother of Da'Quain Johnson

“This is how my son got killed.”

— Angelica Johnson, Mother of Da'Quain Johnson

“The NAACP is supposed to be here. They the ones supposed to lead this...not me. We're not talking about Rob. A lot of these leaders show up when our kids are killed and they get on the news and they rub our backs and they say 'we're in this fight with you' and they're nowhere to be found.”

— Angelica Johnson, Mother of Da'Quain Johnson

“It's not just her, other mothers who have lost their sons to police violence are saying the same thing. They want to see stronger reaction from leadership.”

— Robert Womack, Kent County Commissioner

What’s next

Kent County Commissioner Robert Womack said he is getting a second autopsy done for Da'Quain Johnson in an effort to get the decision not to charge the officers reviewed again by the attorney general.

The takeaway

This caravan highlights the ongoing struggle for accountability and reform around police use of force, particularly in communities of color. The frustration expressed by Johnson's mother reflects the broader challenges of achieving justice in the aftermath of such incidents and the need for stronger leadership and action from local officials.