Black Lives Matter: Protest in the US State of Kentucky Turns Deadly

There have been protests throughout Kentucky since May 2020 against the death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and in solidarity of Black Lives Matter.

The protests against forms of racism and poor treatment of blacks centered more on the death of a 26-years-old African-American woman, Breonna Taylor, who was shot by Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) on March 13, 2020, at her residence.

Gunfire was exchanged between Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, and the three officers executing a no-knock search warrant in her apartment at Louisville, Kentucky. Her boyfriend said he believed that the officers were intruders after being charged with attempted murder for firing shots at one of the officers. The officers exchanged shots with over twenty shots while Breonna Taylor was gunned down with eight shots.

A lawsuit was filed by the Taylor family’s attorney against the officer, who entered Taylor’s home without knocking or announcing a search warrant. He opened fire with a total disregard for the value of human life.

However, anti-racism demonstrators protesting against the Breonna Taylor has caused riots, and shots were reported fired, which turns deadly at Jefferson Square Park.

There was no information released about arrests, possible suspects, and the victims’ identities.

“I am deeply saddened by the violence that erupted in Jefferson Square Park tonight, where those who have been voicing their concerns have been gathered,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said in a statement.

“It is a tragedy that this area of peaceful protest is now a crime scene,” Mayor Greg said.

For weeks, the Jefferson Square park has been the epicenter for anti-racism Black Lives Matter protests in the city after the police killing of Breonna Taylor.

The Saturday night shooting was at least the second during nearly a month of protests in Louisville over Taylor’s death.

Many people were wounded on May 28 during the protest when shooters fired several shots near City Hall, prompting a statement from Taylor’s mother asking people to demand justice without hurting each other.

Moreover, a man in his early 20s was charged for shooting another man on Saturday at the park in Louisville, Kentucky, where protesters were gathering to demand justice for the killing of Breonna Taylor.

According to a Louisville Metropolitan Police Department arrest citation report, Steven Nelson Lopez of Louisville was arrested and charged with murder and wanton endangerment.