Officer Involved In Breonna Taylor Shooting Will Be Fired, Louisville Mayor Says
By: Executive Tea Staff
Brett Hakinson, photo via Courier Journal
Louisville mayor Greg Fischer announced Friday that they are beginning the termination of Brett Hankison. Hankison is one of the three Louisville police officers who fired shots into Breonna Taylor’s room as she was asleep. Taylor was killed over two months ago, and this is the first time the termination the department has announced of the three officers involved. Brett Hankison, the officer at the center of the case, violated department policies several times. In 2019, he was disciplined for reckless conduct.
On May 31st, the department announced they would open an investigation into the case and also start requiring all officers to wear body cameras.
The department’s interim chief, Robert Schroeder, wrote a letter Friday blasting Hankison’s actions.
I find your conduct a shock to the conscience. I am alarmed and stunned you used deadly force in this fashion.
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.
— Schroeder's statement via Courier-Journal
The other two officers involved have been placed on administrative leave. The family of Breonna Taylor filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the police department two months ago, claiming charges of battery, wrongful death, excessive force, negligence and gross negligence. The killing of Breonna Taylor has sparked an outcry on social media, with thousands demanding justice and accountability.
