On February 18th, a tragic event occurred in Grand Rapids, Michigan that shook the community and left many with unanswered questions. 32-year-old Da’Quain Johnson was fatally shot in the parking lot of Eastern Lofts on Eastern Avenue SE. The next morning, he passed away from his injuries. The initial reports from the police stated that Johnson was shot in the chest. However, his mother, Angelica Johnson, had a different account of what happened after viewing her son’s body. She claimed that he was actually shot in the back of the head, contradicting the department’s statement.
In an effort to bring clarity to the situation and seek justice for her son, Angelica spoke at a press conference on February 20th. She shared the details surrounding Da’Quain’s death and expressed her disbelief at the conflicting reports from the police. According to her, Da’Quain was a beloved member of the community and his death has left a void in the lives of those who knew him.
The events leading up to the shooting began with the Grand Rapids Police Department receiving alerts about a potentially armed man riding a bicycle. When officers tried to approach Johnson, he fled on his bike. As reported by Fox 17, they eventually found him in a parking lot behind a nearby apartment complex. The police then released a canine to help apprehend Johnson, who continued to resist and fight with the officers. It was during this struggle that one of the officers fired their weapon, claiming that Johnson had produced a handgun.
Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom initially stated that Johnson had been shot in the chest. However, after reviewing three bodycam and dashcam clips, it appeared that something else had happened. Da’Quain’s mother claimed that he was shot in the head while lying face down on the ground with the police canine on top of him. She also noted that his hands seemed to be behind his back at the time of the shooting. This revelation only added to the confusion and anger surrounding the incident.
As the community grappled with this tragedy, it was revealed that Johnson was a convicted felon and did have a firearm on him at the time of the shooting. However, those who knew him described him as a kind and caring individual. In light of this, community members gathered to view the footage released by activists, which they believe shows what truly happened during Johnson’s encounter with the police. The Michigan State Police has taken over the investigation to ensure an unbiased and thorough examination of the incident.
During the press conference, Angelica Johnson urged the community to protest peacefully, stating that her son would want justice to be served peacefully as well. She also expressed her hope that the truth would come to light and that her son's death would not be in vain. This case has brought to light the ongoing issue of police brutality and the need for accountability and reform. Johnson’s death is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by people of color in their interactions with law enforcement. Let us hope that his memory will not be forgotten and that steps will be taken to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
