Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison has been found guilty by a federal jury of violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor, a young Black woman who was killed during a botched raid at her apartment in March 2020.
The jury found Hankison guilty of three counts of wanton endangerment for firing shots that endangered Taylor’s neighbors during the raid. The jury deliberated for several hours before reaching their verdict, which was met with a mix of relief and outrage by Taylor’s family and supporters.
Breonna Taylor’s death sparked national outrage and protests against police brutality and systemic racism. The 26-year-old EMT was shot and killed by police officers who were executing a no-knock warrant at her apartment in the middle of the night. The officers claimed they were looking for drugs, but no drugs were found in Taylor’s apartment.
Hankison was fired from the Louisville Metro Police Department in June 2020, but the other two officers involved in the raid were not charged with any crimes. Many have criticized the lack of accountability for the officers who killed Taylor, and have called for justice for her and her family.
The guilty verdict in Hankison’s case is a small step towards holding police officers accountable for their actions, but it is not enough. Taylor’s family and supporters are calling for justice for Breonna and for all victims of police violence. They are demanding systemic changes to policing practices and accountability for officers who abuse their power.
The verdict in Hankison’s case sends a message that police officers are not above the law and will be held accountable for their actions. It is a small victory for Breonna Taylor’s family, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that no more lives are lost to police violence.