Breonna Taylor – 1 Of The Officers Involved In Her Death, Brett Hankison, Has Been Fired From The Louisville Police Department

Breonna Taylor – 1 Of The Officers Involved In Her Death, Brett Hankison, Has Been Fired From The Louisville Police Department

On Friday (June 19th), Louisville mayor Greg Fischer announced that one of the three officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor has been fired.

On March 13, Breonna Taylor, 26, was killed in her apartment after three plainclothes officers entered her home to serve a no-knock warrant. According to the officers, when they entered, Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend opened fire on what he thought were intruders. The officers returned fire, leading to Taylor being shot eight times. Unfortunately, she died from her injuries.

Now, one of the officers, Brett Hankison, has been fired as the Louisville Department Interim Chief, Robert Schroeder, accused him of

“blindly firing 10 rounds into Taylor’s apartment, creating a substantial danger of death and serious injury.”

In a letter to Brett Hankison, the interim chief wrote:

“I find your conduct a shock to the conscience. I am alarmed and stunned you used deadly force in this fashion.” 

He continued:

“The result of your action seriously impedes the Department’s goal of providing the citizens of our city with the most professional law enforcement agency possible. I cannot tolerate this type of conduct by any member of the Louisville Metro Police Department. Your conduct demands your termination.” 

The other two officers involved,  Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrave, have not been fired but placed on administrative reassignment instead.

In a press conference Friday (June 19th), the mayor also refused to announce why Brett Hankison was fired and the other two officers weren’t.

“Unfortunately, due to a provision in state law that I would very much like to see changed, both the chief and I are precluded from talking about what brought us to this moment or even the timing of this decision.”

Kentucky Attorney General, Daniel Cameron, is still deciding whether to bring charges against all three officers. He stated in a press conference:

‘Our office is undertaking a thorough and fair investigation.We are working around the clock to follow the law to the truth. Everyone involved in this case deserves nothing less. An investigation of this magnitude requires time and patience…however I can assure you, that at the end of our investigation, we will do what is right. We will find the truth.’

The firing of Hankison comes months after protestors and celebrities have called for action to be taken against those responsible for Taylor’s death. Just recently, singer Beyoncé sent a letter to Daniel Cameron, asking for charges to be brought against the officers after three months of nothing being done. When asked about Beyoncé’s letter sent to him, Daniel Cameron stated:

‘Whether it’s a celebrity or Kentuckian or any interested party. I take great care and concern in every letter we receive and completely understand the interest surrounding his case. It doesn’t matter who sends me a piece of mail, it won’t have any bearing on the case. Our responsibility is to the facts and the law.’ 

Beyoncé’s sister, Solange Knowles, has also called out the governor and Attorney General for not taking the “necessary actions”. She tweeted:

“Ayo @louisvillemayor @GovAndyBeshear When the f*ck are y’all going to arrest and charge Breonna Taylor’s murderers?!? Why are Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankinson & Myles Cosgrove still roaming freely & still being paid while y’all try to protect the blood on y’all’s hands?”

She later added,

“It’s been 3 months @kyoag! When are the arrest happening?!? We know about the crooked cop contracts, and that this in YOUR HANDS! When will Breonna Taylors murderers be arrested and charged ?”

How do you feel about only one of the three officers getting fired and none arrested? Leave your thoughts with us in the comments.