Former Louisville Metro Police officer Brett Hankison has been found guilty by a federal jury of violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot by police during a botched raid on her apartment in March 2020.
The jury’s decision comes after a week-long trial in which prosecutors presented evidence that Hankison had fired multiple shots into Taylor’s apartment without properly identifying himself as a police officer. Hankison was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment for endangering Taylor’s neighbors when he fired his weapon.
Breonna Taylor’s death sparked nationwide protests and calls for police reform, as many questioned the actions of the officers involved in the raid. The officers were executing a no-knock warrant in connection with a drug investigation, but no drugs were found in Taylor’s apartment.
Hankison’s guilty verdict is a small measure of justice for Breonna Taylor and her family, who have long called for accountability for her death. While Hankison was not charged with Taylor’s killing, the guilty verdict sends a clear message that police officers will be held accountable for their actions.
In a statement following the verdict, Taylor’s family said they were grateful for the jury’s decision and hopeful that it would bring some closure to their long fight for justice. They also called for continued efforts to reform the criminal justice system and hold police accountable for their actions.
The verdict in Hankison’s trial is a step in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done to address systemic issues of police violence and racial injustice. It is essential that we continue to push for accountability and reform to ensure that tragedies like Breonna Taylor’s death do not happen again.
As we reflect on this verdict, let us remember Breonna Taylor and the countless other Black lives lost to police violence. Let us continue to fight for justice and equality for all, and work towards a future where every person is treated with dignity and respect.
