Breonna Taylor shooting: What to know about the FBI, Louisville police investigations

by 24USATVMay 28, 2020, 11:40 a.m. 58
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The fatal police shooting of 26-year-old ER technician Breonna Taylor has sparked multiple investigations in the two months since she died.

Police were executing a search warrant at Taylor's southwest Louisville apartment as part of a narcotics investigation just before 1 a.m. on March 13. Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, said he did not hear officers announce themselves and fired a single shot, striking Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly in the femoral artery.

In turn, Mattingly and detectives Myles Cosgrove and Brett Hankison shot more than 20 rounds, striking Taylor at least eight times. She died in the hallway of her apartment.

Since then, activists, community leaders and state and federal lawmakers have all called for independent investigations into Taylor's death.

Here's what we know about the ongoing investigations so far:

As is the case with all officer-involved shootings, the Louisville Metro Police Department's Public Integrity Unit launched an investigation into Taylor's death in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

LMPD officials have said little about the case or the three officers involved — who have since been placed on administrative reassignment — citing an ongoing investigation.

But on May 20, Mayor Greg Fischer announced the internal investigation into the case had been turned over to the office of Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine announced he would recuse himself from the review into the conduct of the officers, citing a conflict of interest because he was, at the time, pursuing charges against Walker. Wine has since dismissed those charges, citing the need for further investigation.

Cameron's office or a special prosecutor he appoints ultimately will decide if any criminal charges should be brought against the three officers.

Cameron's office issued a statement, saying, "The Office of the Attorney General has been asked to serve as special prosecutor in the matter involving the death of Breonna Taylor. At the conclusion of the investigation, the office will review the evidence and take appropriate action."

Fischer also announced that LMPD's investigation was provided to the U.S. Attorney and the FBI Louisville field office for review.

The day after Fischer announced that LMPD's investigation was turned over to Cameron, the FBI Louisville field office announced it was launching its own independent investigation into Taylor's death.

"The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence and will ensure that the investigation is conducted in a fair, thorough and impartial manner," the FBI Louisville Field Office said in a statement. "As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time."

Also:Wreath laying ceremony for Breonna Taylor who was killed by LMPD

The FBI's actions go beyond what Fischer had proposed when he agreed to turn over the findings of the Public Integrity Unit to state and federal officials for review.

The Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition, a group of local ministers, was among the first groups in Louisville to call for an independent investigation into Taylor's death, led by law enforcement and prosecutors from outside of Louisville.

Sen. Kamala Harris of California and Rep. Lucy McBath of Georgia, both Democrats, asked the Department of Justice for an immediate investigation into Taylor's death and of any "pattern or practice of constitutional violations at the Louisville Police Department."

“Ms. Taylor was a young woman with plans for a long, fruitful life,” they wrote to Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband, who oversees the civil rights division. “Instead, her life was brutally cut short by a haphazard law enforcement exercise. Ms. Taylor worked to save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic; it is time for the U.S. Department of Justice to honor hers.”

Citing reporting from The Courier Journal and WDRB, Harris and McBath outlined what they say are “troubling parallels” between the raid on Taylor’s home and that of another black family in October 2018.

Harris and McBath write that because of “troubling parallels” between the cases, the Justice Department ought to conduct an independent investigation into whether LMPD “has engaged in a pattern or practice of constitutional violations.”

A news release noted the lawmakers' letter is supported by the American Civil Liberties Union, Drug Policy Alliance and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

It was additionally signed by: Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Cory Booker, D-N.J.; Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; Edward Markey, D-Mass.; Patty Murray, D-Wash.; Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont; Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

It is also signed by more than 25 members of the U.S. House, all Democrats.

No members of Kentucky's federal delegation signed on to the letter.

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