Among the many cases of racism that the death of George Floyd has once again brought up, Breonna Taylor’s story was one of the most heartbreaking.
Six months after her death, the city of Louisville, Kentucky said it has legally settled a wrongful death case with Taylor’s family.
Taylor, who was a trained emergency medical technician (EMT), was murdered in her own house on March 13th following what is known as a “no-knock” raid. The tragedy mainly stemmed from the police’s misunderstanding and misinformation regarding the operation.
For instance, they were completely oblivious to the fact that Taylor was with Kennet Walker, her boyfriend when the police executed their warrant. Misinterpreting the police raid as a home invasion, Walker fired his legal firearm which consequently landed on an officer’s leg.
The situation tragically accelerated when the police officers returned fire to Walker, during which Taylor was fatally shot. In the end, the police did not find any drugs in Taylor’s household, which was what they were searching for.
Because the situations surrounding the case was so clear cut, Taylor’s death generated massive protests in Louisville and elsewhere in the United States. In her death, Taylor was elevated to an icon and slogan of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Some justice and closure has finally been served as the City of Louisville settled a wrongful death settlement with the Taylor family after 6 long months. The city has decided to pay a settlement of $12 million to the family, along with promising ways to prevent further tragedies.
In a joint press conference that he held with Taylor’s mother, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer officially apologized to the bereaved mother. Fischer said he can’t fathom the sorrow she must have felt, and apologized on behalf of everyone for the death of Taylor.
Moreover, the mayor said they will grow and change the law so that no more tragedies like this one take place. Fischer said various policy reforms such as increasing aid to social workers will be put into place, as well as amending the procedures for warrants.
The Taylor family’s attorney Ben Crump reinforced this notion, saying that they will make sure that Taylor’s death will not be forgotten because of the settlement.
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Replaced!