LOUISVILLE, KY- Two police officers were just shot. Now we’re learning that just hours before, police were warned… as supplies for riots were unloaded into the city.
Unloading the riot shields from the Uhaul #Louisville #BreonnaTaylor pic.twitter.com/F9KqzRB5lM
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) September 23, 2020
After a Kentucky grand jury decided that the officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor were justified in the shooting, a protester hurled a death threat at Louisville police officers saying that they should, “get ready to (expletive) die.”
[embedded content]Video of the incident has widely circulated social media after it was shared by Town Hall reporter, Julio Rosas. The video shows the protester marching alongside other demonstrators when he randomly screams a death threat at the officers who are standing guard.
One person shouted at Louisville police, “All y’all get ready to fucking die!” pic.twitter.com/dTHVDeKjCT
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) September 23, 2020
According to reports, a Kentucky grand jury did indict one of the three officers involved in Taylor’s shooting that took place inside of her Louisville apartment. The charges are connected to the firing of shots into the neighboring apartment.
The apartment was occupied by three people, including a pregnant woman and a child. Former officer Brett Hankison was indicted on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment:
“Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron explained Wednesday afternoon that no police officers would be charged directly for the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville in March because they knocked before entering her boyfriends apartment”
“Taylor, 26, was killed in the crossfire when her boyfriend opened fire at the police. After expressing his condolences to Taylor’s family, Cameron explained that the officers who had shot Taylor would not be charged because they had been fired upon first and because her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, testified that they had knocked first.”
After people in downtown Louisville heard there were no murder charges for the police who killed Breonna Taylor, some cried out “what the hell” and others burst into tears. Hundreds took to the streets in protest. https://t.co/jCSRHeyDuh via @blackvoices
— LiL’Silver (@TheRealLilXza) September 24, 2020
After the announcement, Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) issued a statement regarding Cameron’s explanation. He said:
“Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron led a complete inquiry to find the truth and pursue justice. I have total confidence he followed the facts and the legal process in his decision.”
Cameron said that his team concluded the last interview of their investigation on Friday, September 18th and began presenting evidence before the grand jury on Monday, September 21st.
On the morning of Wednesday, September 23rd, prosecutors finished presenting their evidence and a few hours later the grand jury rendered its report to the judge.
Hundreds of people take to the streets of #Denver, marching to protest the outcome of the #BreonnaTaylor decision, in #Louisville, today
Here, they pause in the middle of Lincoln, to chant, w/ the state Capitol, in the background: pic.twitter.com/irvBUB6UWc
— Fritz “Familia” Kopf-Meister (@tommythefamily) September 24, 2020
Cameron then told reporters that his office’s investigation had determined that despite the fact that the officers had a “no-knock” warrant the night Taylor was killed, police did announce themselves before they attempted to enter the apartment.
He explained that an independent civilian witness had confirmed having heard the officers announce themselves. It was after that clear announcement that the officers entered the residence and saw a man and woman at the end of the hallway.
‘It’s all coordinated’: Somebody driving a U-Haul helps supply totally spontaneous protest breaking out in Louisville https://t.co/4xhxRq4wBw via @twitchyteam
— Shawn McNelly (@McnellyShawn) September 24, 2020
Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly was immediately shot at. Cameron said:
“Kenneth Walker fired the shot that hit Sgt. Mattingly”
Cameron also debunked the claims made by Walker that Sg.t Mattingly was instead shot by a fellow officer during the chaos that ensued. Cameron explained that Sgt. Mattingly was struck by a 9mm bullet from Walker’s weapon and officers had been carrying 40-caliber weapons.
Cameron then said that Walker opened fire:
“Mattingly fired six shots and Cosgrove fired 16 shots simultaneously.”
Cameron also said that the ruling is clear:
“Mattingly and Cosgrove were justified in their use of force after being fired on by Walker.”
Cameron reiterated that homicide charges were not applicable in the case. He said:
“The investigation showed that Mattingly and Cosgrove were justified in the return of deadly fire.”
Video: Protests Erupt in Louisville After Breonna Taylor Decision – The New York Times https://t.co/fCdLNSDeby
— Vik Bataille (@VIKBataille) September 24, 2020
In his announcement, Cameron urged the community to ignore those who would try to incite unrest in Louisville in response to the grand jury’s decision. He said in a statement:
“The truth is now before us. The facts have been examined and a grand jury comprised of our peers and fellow citizens has rendered a decision.”
He added as he pleaded with would-be violent protesters to accept the grand jury’s decision:
“Mob justice is not justice. Justice sought by violence is not justice. It just becomes revenge and in our system, criminal justice isn’t the quest for revenge. It’s the quest for truth, evidence, and facts and the use of that truth as we fairly apply our laws.”
Despite Cameron’s requests, protesters almost immediately took to the streets of Louisville. Videos circulating social media show protesters unloading shields and signs from a U-Haul truck. One shield read, “BLM” in red and another one had the phrase, “Protect Black Women.”
Another video on social media shows protesters shouting, “We didn’t get it, burn it down!” while marching through the streets of Louisville. Protesters were also seen protesting with signs demanding for the police to be abolished.
After Cameron’s announcement, President Donald Trump praised him and his investigation. He said:
“Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is doing a fantastic job. I think he’s a star.”
Trump even quoted something Cameron said when he was publicly discussing the Taylor case:
“Justice is not often easy. It does not fit the mold of public opinion and it does not conform to shifting standards. It answers only to the facts and to the law. If we simply act on emotion or outrage, there is no justice. Mob justice is not justice. Justice sought by violence is not justice, it just becomes revenge.”
After quoting Cameron, Trump said that it was a terrific statement. He also said he would be speaking to Governor Andy Beshear who sent the Kentucky National Guard to Louisville because of the demonstrations that are currently happening in the wake of the grand jury’s indictment. Trump said:
“I understand he’s called up the National Guard, which is a good thing. And, it’ll all work out.”
During Cameron’s announcement he said:
“I know that not everyone will be satisfied with the charges announced today.”
He began talking about celebrities, influencers, and activists, specifically those outside of Kentucky and how they will try to tell people how they should feel about this decision. He said:
“They will try to tell us how to feel, suggesting they understand the facts of this case, that they know our community and the Commonwealth better than we do, but they don’t”
