Christopher Schurr, a former Michigan police officer charged with second-degree murder after he shot a Black motorist in the head, will be facing trial at the Kent County Courthouse, Michigan. 

Judge Nicholas Ayoub announced his decision on Monday after hearing the testimonies and watching videos of the incident that took place in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Also read: Patrick Lyoya was killed by cop’s shot to the head, autopsy reveals

The judge added that the jury will decide if it was necessary to use guns and give a verdict on Schurr “after a full and fair trial.” 

“The law recognizes that law enforcement officers are required to make split-second decisions of life and death in dangerous and strenuous circumstances,” Ayoub said. However, since being charged with murder, Schurr has been suspended from the force after seven years in the service.

Who is Christopher Schurr?

Christopher Schurr is a former police officer with the Grand Rapids Police Department in the US state of Michigan. He was suspended in June 2022 after being charged with the murder of a 26-year-old Black motorist called Patrick Lyoya. The charge sheet claims that Schurr shot the motorist in the back of his head.

He joined the force in 2015 and has never been a known advocate of using force against civilians. In an AP report on his case files released by the Grand Rapids police, it was claimed Schurr has received more than a dozen letters of recognition since becoming an officer.

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Most of the incidents happened on the road with Schurr stopping a driver for missing a brake light or taking a sudden turn. In many cases, such stops have led to finding drugs, unauthorised drugs, and even people wanted for past crimes.

Schurr’s attorney put forth the argument on Friday that the former officer was only acting in self-defense as Lyoya would not bend to his command. A forensic video analyst testified in court based on his analysis of the video of the incident that Loya failed to comply with 20 commands.