Breonna Taylor

Louisville Mayor Declares Racism A Public Health Crisis

In the wake of the police killing of Breonna Taylor, Louisville has declared racism a public health crisis.

Mayor Greg Fischer made the declaration on Tuesday by signing an executive order titled “Advancing Racial Equity for Black Louisville,” which calls for a focus on “the societal, physical and mental health impacts” on the Black community. As the New York Post notes, the city plans to increase diversity in the ranks of the Louisville Metro Police Department, implement a focus on community policing, and the creation of an independent civilian review board.

RELATED: Anonymous Grand Juror Says Panel Wasn’t Given Option To Consider Homicide Charges In Breonna Taylor Case

This move comes just more than eight months after Taylor was shot dead in her home during a botched police raid. “Breonna’s tragic death has made our city a focal point for America’s reckoning of racial justice,” Fischer said. “The last few months have been painful for us as a community and for many of us personally. The status quo is not working nor is it acceptable.” He added, “As mayor and just as an American and a human being, racism sickens me.” Following Taylor’s death which led to protests in Louisville and around the country, Fischer said “it’s clear that we need to move faster and invest more resources. We need to do everything we can to repair distrust through action.”

“These reforms will require a strong commitment and a lot of work,” Fischer said. “But I believe it can be done — in part because when I look around Lousiville and talk to people from every neighborhood and background, I sense a greater and broader understanding and desire to address racial equity than ever before.”

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RELATED: New Body Cam Video Released: Swat Team Can Be Heard Saying “She’s Done” After Checking On Breonna Taylor Following Raid

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Louisville Police Officer Sues Kenneth Walker, Boyfriend Of Breonna Taylor, For Emotional Distress, Assault, And Battery

In an attempt to deflect responsibility for the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, Louisville Sergeant Jonathan Mattingly has decided to file a civil suit against the 26-year-old’s boyfriend for emotional distress, assault, and battery on the night she was killed.

RELATED: Anonymous Grand Juror Says Panel Wasn’t Given Option To Consider Homicide Charges In Breonna Taylor Case

The lawsuit claims the Louisville Sergeant experienced “severe trauma, mental anguish, and emotional distress” because of Kenneth Walker’s actions on March 13.

As we previously reported, Mattingly and two other officers entered Taylor’s apartment early in the morning that day to carry out a drug investigation. Walker, a licensed gun owner who said he thought the officers were intruders, allegedly fired a shot that hit Mattingly in the leg. Police fired back, killing Taylor. She had no criminal record and no drugs were found in their home. “Walker’s conduct in shooting Mattingly is outrageous, intolerable, and offends all accepted standards of decency and morality,” the lawsuit said.

In a statement obtained by CBS News, Mattingly’s attorney Kent Wicker argues: “Mattingly was shot and nearly killed by Kenneth Walker. He’s entitled to, and should, use the legal process to seek a remedy for the injury that Walker has caused him.” Meanwhile, Walker’s attorney called Mattingly’s lawsuit a “baseless attempt to further victimize and harass Kenny.”

“Kenny Walker is protected by law under KRS 503.085 and is immune from both criminal prosecution and civil liability as he was acting in self defense in his own home,” attorney Steve Romines said in a statement obtained by the news site. “Even the most basic understanding of Kentucky’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law and the ‘Castle Doctrine’ evidences this fact. One would think that breaking into the apartment, executing his girlfriend and framing him for a crime in an effort to cover up her murder would be enough for them,” he added. “Yet this baseless attempt to further victimize and harass Kenny indicates otherwise.”

Walker was initially arrested and charged with attempted murder over the shooting, but those charges were later dropped. Walker has filed a lawsuit of his own against the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department and also sought immunity based on the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law.  

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RELATED: Breonna Taylor’s Boyfriend Kenneth Walker Said Officer Told Him It Was “Unfortunate” He Wasn’t Shot During Raid

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Breonna Taylor’s Boyfriend Kenneth Walker Said Officer Told Him It Was “Unfortunate” He Wasn’t Shot During Raid

CBS This Morning released the full interview with Gayle King and Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend Kenneth Walker, where he shared more details on the tragic police-involved incident that took the life of the 26-year-old EMT.

“It was a normal day… you know, we went on a date, we went out to eat,” Walker recalled. He said they had gone back home to play Uno and watch a movie. Later, according to Walker, there was “a loud bang at the door.” After asking repeatedly “who is it?” he said no one answered.

“I’m a million percent sure that nobody identified themselves,” he said. “if they had knocked on the door and say who it was, we could hear them. It was dead silent.” Walker, a licensed gun owner said he then grabbed his gun out of fear it would be an intruder.

RELATED: Breonna Taylor’s Boyfriend Kenneth Walker Is ‘A Million Percent Sure’ Police Never Identified Themselves

As his door was smashed down, Walker fired off his gun. Three officers combined then fired 32 shots into their apartment, with “bullets coming in every direction,” Walker said. “I pulled her down to the ground. But, you know, she was scared so she just didn’t get down.”

When the gunfire stopped he looked down he saw Taylor bleeding, but still breathing. From there, he called his mother as he held her. “I told her that somebody just kicked in the door and shot Breonna. And she’s freaking out at this point. But she told me to call 911. So I did,” Walker said. He told King that had he known it was the police who broke in, he would not have called the police for help. “I don’t think I realized that it was the police until I was on the phone with Breonna’s mom,” Walker said. “I thought they was, you know, coming for help. ‘Cause I called 911.”

As he walked outside thinking help was finally here, instead, he was met with guns drawn to him and threats of “dogs and whatever else.” Walker explained that one officer even asked him if he was hit with any bullets. When he replied “no,” the officer replied, “That’s unfortunate.”

“I didn’t know what to think, and I really wasn’t worried about me,” he said. “Only reason I’m even out here is because only way for her to get help in there is for me to be out here.”

During his sit down with King, Walker goes more in-depth about the horrific night but also looks back on some of the great moments he had with Taylor and even shared what they had in store for the future.

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RELATED: New Body Cam Video Released: Swat Team Can Be Heard Saying “She’s Done” After Checking On Breonna Taylor Following Raid

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New Body Cam Video Released: Swat Team Can Be Heard Saying “She’s Done” After Checking On Breonna Taylor Following Raid

Louisville PD has just released body cam videos from several SWAT officers, showing what went down in Breonna Taylor’s home just moments after she was shot to death by police.

The disturbing video obtained by TMZ shows Breonna Taylor’s motionless body on the floor for several minutes as a SWAT team cleared her apartment, then checked for a pulse before repeatedly stating, “She’s done.”

The clips starts off with SWAT preparing to enter the home. One cop says, “The female is supposedly the one that’s shot” — speaking of Breonna. Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, had already stepped out and surrendered. As they entered her apartment, cops immediately called out that Breonna was at the end of the hallway. However, SWAT took several more minutes to clear other parts of the apartment before addressing Breonna, saying, “Ma’am, can you hear us?” From there, one officer told another to check her pulse. Moments later, the cop declared, “She’s done.” Several SWAT members then left the apartment so crime scene investigators and a medic could come inside the home.

In the footage, the SWAT team also inspected shell casings on the floor, confirming they were from police weapons after trying to figure out whether they were from Walker’s gun. As we previously reported, Walker injured one Louisville cop, Jonathan Mattingly during the raid. He said he had no idea who was entering their home when he fired his gun. Body cam video from outside their apparent shows Walker, through tears, declaring to police that Breonna was dead inside, and that they had no idea who was entering the apartment.

Cops forced entry into the apartment as part of an investigation into drug dealing operations. They found nothing but Taylor was hit by six bullets and died. Despite the heartbreak and trauma Taylor’s death has caused her family and America, the officers responsible for her death were only given light charges. Brett Hankison was charged with wanton endangerment for firing shots into a neighboring apartment.

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UPDATE: Grand Jury indicts Only 1 Officer On Criminal Charges In Breonna Taylor Case

A decision has been made: Just six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in her own home in Kentucky, a grand jury has indicted just one officer on criminal charges.

RELATED: UPDATE: Breonna Taylor’s Family To Receive $12 Million Settlement From City Of Louisville

This Wednesday, the jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison on three counts of wanton endangerment — for firing recklessly and without due regard for life. His bail has been set at $15,000. Wanton endangerment carries a maximum penalty of 5 years if convicted.

As we previously reported, Taylor was shot multiple times by officers who burst into her home on March 13 during a narcotics investigation. NO drugs were found in her home. The indictment has already sparked anger from protestors in Louisville and Rev. Al Sharpton who called it “grossly insufficient.”

To note, the charges against Hankison are not directly for the death of Taylor but for endangering neighbors. The other two officers: Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove — who had already been placed on administrative reassignment but were still part of the force — have not been charged.

While speaking at a press confrence this afternoon, Kentucky Attorney General Daniele Cameron explained why the use of force by the officers were “justified.” Check out the clip here:

Kentucky AG Cameron: “According to Kentucky law, the use of force by Mattingly and Cosgrove was justified to protect themselves. This justification bars us from pursuing criminal charges in Ms. Breonna Taylor’s death.” pic.twitter.com/K6txNi9qyr

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) September 23, 2020

Ben Crump, attorney for the family of Breonna Taylor, was outraged after receiving the news. He tweeted:

“Jefferson County Grand Jury indicts former ofc. Brett Hankison with 3 counts of Wanton Endangerment in 1st Degree for bullets that went into other apartments but NOTHING for the murder of Breonna Taylor. This is outrageous and offensive! He added, “If Brett Hankison’s behavior was wanton endangerment to people in neighboring apartments, then it should have been wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylor’s apartment too. In fact, it should have been ruled wanton murder!”

If Brett Hankison's behavior was wanton endangerment to people in neighboring apartments, then it should have been wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylor's apartment too. In fact, it should have been ruled wanton murder!

— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) September 23, 2020

Earlier, Louisville Metro Police Department announced a state of emergency effective in preparation for Cameron’s announcement on Wednesday. “To ensure we have the appropriate level of staffing to provide for public safety services and our policing functions, effective immediately the LMPD will operate under the emergency staffing and reporting guidelines,” said LMPD Interim Chief of Police Robert Schroeder on Monday.

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RELATED: LMPD Declares “State Of Emergency” In Preparation For Decision In Breonna Taylor Case

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UPDATE: Breonna Taylor’s Family To Receive $12 Million Settlement From City Of Louisville

Earlier this Tuesday it was shared that a settlement had been reached in a civil lawsuit between the family of Breonna Taylor and the city of Louisville. At the time, full details weren’t shared but sources told WAVE 3 News that the settlement included a significant amount of money reaching into the millions of dollars and is “expected to be one of the largest settlements following an officer-involved shooting in Louisville police history.”

RELATED: Louisville Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed By Breonna Taylor’s Family

CNN also reported that the mayor of Louisville is expected to announce the settlement later Tuesday in a joint press conference with the Taylor family attorneys.

Now, according to the latest updates by The Hill, it has just been revealed that the family will receive a $12 million settlement for the horrific death of the 26-year-old EMT, who was shot and killed in her own home by plainclothes Louisville police officers back in March. It was noted by the Courier-Journal that the deal is the largest settlement that the city has paid in a police misconduct case, shattering the previous top figure of $8.5 million.

The Hill reports that Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer (D) and Taylor family attorneys, including prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, are all expected to share more details on the deal at a press conference this afternoon.

We will continue to keep you updated when more details have been shared.

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RELATED: Cops Who Killed Breonna Taylor Also Botched

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