killing of Breonna Taylor

{{Short description|2020 police killing in Louisville, Kentucky, US}}

{{Infobox event

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| time = c. 12:40 a.m. (EDT; UTC−4){{Cite news|last1=Costello|first1=Darcy|last2=Duvall|first2=Tessa|title=Minute by minute: What happened the night Louisville police fatally shot Breonna Taylor|newspaper=USA Today|publisher=Gannett|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05/15/minute-minute-account-breonna-taylor-fatal-shooting-louisville-police/5196867002/ |url-status=live |date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515193258/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05/15/minute-minute-account-breonna-taylor-fatal-shooting-louisville-police/5196867002/|archive-date=May 15, 2020|issn=0734-7456}}

| duration =

| date = {{Start date and age|2020|3|13}}

| venue =

| location = Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.

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| also_known_as =

| type = Homicide, police brutality, shooting

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| participants = Shooters in raid:
Myles Cosgrove (fatal shot)
Brett Hankison
Jonathan Mattingly
Alleged conspirators:
Joshua Jaynes
Kelly Goodlett{{efn|Goodlett pleaded guilty in August 2022 to being a conspirator.}}
Kyle Meany

| outcome =

| casualties1 =

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| reported deaths = 1{{efn|Breonna Taylor}}

| reported injuries = 1{{efn|Jonathan Mattingly}}

| reported missing =

| reported property damage =

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| arrests = 6{{cite news|last1=McLaughlin|first1=Eliott C.|last2=Moghe|first2=Sonia|last3=Rabinowitz|first3=Hannah|title=Four current, former Louisville police officers federally charged in Breonna Taylor's death|publisher=CNN|date=August 4, 2022|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/04/us/breonna-taylor-federal-charges/index.html|access-date=October 25, 2023|archive-date=August 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804153621/https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/04/us/breonna-taylor-federal-charges/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Feds charge 4 police officers in fatal Breonna Taylor raid|website=Associated Press|date=August 4, 2022|url=https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-louisville-civil-rights-violations-merrick-garland-b137cccd940652c20e1294363cb01b72|access-date=August 4, 2022|archive-date=April 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412174422/https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-louisville-civil-rights-violations-merrick-garland-b137cccd940652c20e1294363cb01b72|url-status=live}}{{efn|Kenneth Walker was initially charged with attempted murder of a police officer and first-degree assault. Those charges were dropped. The remaining charged individuals are noted below. Brett Hankison's arrests are counted as 2, because he was charged both by the state and by the federal government.}}

| suspects =

| accused = {{plainlist|

Joshua Jaynes
Kyle Meany

}}

| convicted = Brett Hankison
Kelly Goodlett

| charges = Federal charges:
Jaynes:
Conspiracy, obstruction of justice
Meany:
Making false statements
State charges:
Hankison:
First-degree wanton endangerment (3 counts){{efn|Hankison was charged with endangering Walker and Taylor's neighbors, not Walker or Taylor.}}

| trial = The Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Brett Hankison (2022)
The United States of America v. Brett Hankison (2023; 2024)

| verdict = Federal charges:
Goodlett:
Pleaded guilty
Hankison:
Hung jury in first trial; guilty of one of two counts in retrial
Jaynes, Meany:
Trial pending, charges later reduced.{{cite news|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2024/08/22/felony-charges-dropped-lmpd-officers-breonna-taylor-warrant/74909840007/|title=Key federal charges dropped against former LMPD officers behind Breonna Taylor warrant|first1=Josh|last1=Wood|first2=Rachel|last2=Smith|first3=Lucas|last3=Aulbach|publisher=Louisville Courier Journal|date=August 22, 2024|access-date=August 23, 2024}}
State charges:
Hankison:
Not guilty

| convictions = Hankison:
Deprivation of rights under color of law
Goodlett:
Conspiracy (2 counts){{cite web|title=Former Louisville, Kentucky, Police Detective Pleads Guilty to a Federal Crime Related to the Death of Breonna Taylor|date=August 23, 2022|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-louisville-kentucky-police-detective-pleads-guilty-federal-crime-related-death-breonna|access-date=September 6, 2022|archive-date=September 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906000308/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-louisville-kentucky-police-detective-pleads-guilty-federal-crime-related-death-breonna|url-status=live}}

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| litigation = 3{{refn|group=lower-alpha|Breonna Taylor's family, on behalf of the estate of Breonna Taylor, filed a lawsuit on May 15, 2020, against the three officers involved in the raid and the Louisville Metro Government. Ultimately, the lawsuit ended in a settlement in which the estate was awarded $12 million—"one of the highest settlement amounts ever paid in America for the wrongful death of a Black woman by police" according to family attorney Benjamin Crump, quoted in the city's press release on the settlement. The officers and the Louisville Metro Government admitted no liability nor wrongdoing and were absolved of any medical expenses related to Taylor's death, and the city agreed to the family's demands to establish a housing credit program for police officers to be able to live in the community they serve and protect, a fundamental community policing measure, as well as a wide array of other reforms.{{cite press release |url=https://louisvilleky.gov/news/mayor-fischer-announces-settlement-civil-lawsuit-filed-breonna-taylor’s-estate |title=Mayor Fischer announces settlement in civil lawsuit filed by Breonna Taylor's estate |publisher=Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government |date=September 15, 2020 |website=LouisvilleKy.gov |access-date=October 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008100850/https://louisvilleky.gov/news/mayor-fischer-announces-settlement-civil-lawsuit-filed-breonna-taylor%E2%80%99s-estate|archive-date=October 8, 2020|url-status=live}}{{pb}}Links to settlement documents are at the end of the article in the Documents section: [https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/mayors_office/news_images/executed_settlement_agreement_1.pdf "Release and Settlement Agreement"] ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924005943/https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/mayors_office/news_images/executed_settlement_agreement_1.pdf |date=September 24, 2020}}) and [https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/mayors_office/news_images/exhibit_1_-_combined_with_sops_1.pdf "Exhibit 1"] ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005231759/https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/mayors_office/news_images/exhibit_1_-_combined_with_sops_1.pdf |date=October 5, 2020}})}}{{refn|group=lower-alpha|Kenneth Walker filed a lawsuit against the LMPD and City of Louisville in September 2020 invoking Kentucky's stand-your-ground law to ask the court for immunity from prosecution regarding his use of a firearm during the event and seeking an unspecified amount of monetary damages for assault and battery by the police, false arrest and imprisonment, malicious prosecution, abuse of process and negligence.{{cite web|last=Wells|first=David|title=Breonna Taylor's Boyfriend Sues Louisville Police|work=Courthouse News Service|date=September 1, 2020|access-date=October 9, 2020|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/breonna-taylors-boyfriend-sues-louisville-police/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930091657/https://www.courthousenews.com/breonna-taylors-boyfriend-sues-louisville-police/|archive-date=September 30, 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last1=Kachmar|first1=Kala|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/01/breonna-taylor-case-kenneth-walker-sues-lmpd-claiming-false-arrest/3454474001/|title='I can no longer remain silent': Breonna Taylor's boyfriend sues, claims police misconduct|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|issn=1930-2177|date=September 1, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924221744/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/01/breonna-taylor-case-kenneth-walker-sues-lmpd-claiming-false-arrest/3454474001/|archive-date=September 24, 2020|access-date=October 10, 2020|url-status=live}}{{Citation|publication-date=September 1, 2020|date=September 1, 2020|place=Jefferson County, Kentucky|title=Complaint for Declaratory and Monetary Relief|type=Petition/Complaint|publisher=Courthouse News Service|id=20-CI-005086|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Jefferson-5086-p38.pdf|access-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001114611/https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Jefferson-5086-p38.pdf|archive-date=October 1, 2020|url-status=live}}}}{{efn|A lawsuit was also filed by Chelsey Napper and Cody Etherton who were in the neighboring apartment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/24/breonna-taylor-death-lawyer-neighbor-said-shooting-traumatized-everyone-affected/3522283001/|date=September 24, 2020|title=Attorney for Breonna Taylor's neighbor: 'Everyone affected that night deserves justice'|first=Jonathan|last=Bullington|website=The Courier-Journal|access-date=October 14, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011311/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/24/breonna-taylor-death-lawyer-neighbor-said-shooting-traumatized-everyone-affected/3522283001/|url-status=live}}}}

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Breonna Taylor, aged 26, was an African-American medical worker who was killed on March 13, 2020, after police officers from Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) forced entry into her home. Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired a warning shot, mistaking the police for intruders, and wounded officer Jonathan Mattingly. Mattingly and two other LMPD officers—Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove—opened fire. It was determined that Cosgrove fired the fatal shot and that none of Hankison's shots hit anyone. Taylor's family was awarded $12 million in compensation and was given a promise the LMPD would reform its practices.

The killing of Taylor by police officers, and the initial lack of charges against the LMPD officers involved, sparked numerous protests with supporters adopting the motto #SayHerName. These protests against police brutality and racism were concurrent with the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement across the United States.{{cite news |last1=Hay |first1=Andrew |last2=Allen |first2=Jonathan |date=September 28, 2020 |editor1-last=Maler |editor1-first=Sandra |title=Former Louisville detective pleads not guilty in Breonna Taylor case |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-race-usa-louisville/former-louisville-detective-pleads-not-guilty-in-breonna-taylor-case-idUSKBN26J31Z |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021154301/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-race-usa-louisville/former-louisville-detective-pleads-not-guilty-in-breonna-taylor-case-idUSKBN26J31Z |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 18, 2020 |work=Reuters |editor2-last=Osterman |editor2-first=Cynthia |editor3-last=Gregorio |editor3-first=David}} The civil unrest was exacerbated when the grand jury chose not to indict Mattingly or Cosgrove—the officers who shot Taylor.{{Cite web |last1=Callimachi |first1=Rukmini |last2=Bogel-Burroughs |first2=Nicholas |last3=Eligon |first3=John |last4=Wright |first4=Will |date=October 2, 2020 |title=Fired Officer Is Indicted in Breonna Taylor Case; Protesters Wanted Stronger Charges |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/breonna-taylor-officer-indicted.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011310/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/breonna-taylor-officer-indicted.html |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=October 6, 2020 |newspaper=The New York Times}}{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2020 |title=Louisville police officers shot as Breonna Taylor protesters take to streets |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/louisville-police-officers-shot-as-breonna-taylor-protesters-take-to-streets |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011331/https://www.foxnews.com/us/louisville-police-officers-shot-as-breonna-taylor-protesters-take-to-streets |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=October 20, 2020 |website=Fox News}} Prosecutors said their use of force was justified as Walker fired first.{{Cite web |title=Ex-officer Brett Hankison guilty in death of Breonna Taylor |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz6jp80dx4no#:~:text=Another%20officer%20fired%20the%20shot%20that%20killed%20Taylor,%20but%20prosecutors%20said%20his%20use%20of%20deadly%20force%20was%20justified%20because%20Walker%20had%20opened%20fire%20first |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=www.bbc.com | date=November 2, 2024 |language=en-GB}} Some jurors accused Attorney General Daniel Cameron of covering up what happened.{{cite news |author= |date=October 21, 2020 |title=Breonna Taylor: Grand Jury 'Not Given Chance to Bring Homicide Charges' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-54626809 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011234/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54626809 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=October 27, 2020 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2020 |title=Breonna Taylor grand jury recordings released |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54391432 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011231/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54391432 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=October 19, 2020 |work=BBC News}}

On August 23, 2022, Kelly Goodlett, who was not present during the raid, pled guilty to charges related to obtaining the warrant used. On November 1, 2024, a federal jury found Brett Hankison guilty of depriving Taylor of her civil rights for using excessive force.{{cite web|title= Ex-Louisville officer guilty of violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights| website=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/brett-hankison-breonna-taylor-case-federal-retrial-verdict/story?id=115284067}}

Overview

On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old African-American woman, was fatally shot in her Louisville, Kentucky, apartment when at least seven police officers forced entry into the apartment as part of an investigation into drug dealing operations. Three Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers—Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove—were involved in the shooting. Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, was inside the apartment with her when the plainclothes officers knocked on the door and then forced entry.{{cite news|title=Breonna Taylor: Police officer charged but not over death|date=September 23, 2020|website=BBC.com|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54273317|access-date=September 26, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011226/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54273317|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Callimachi|first=Rukmini|date=August 30, 2020|title=Breonna Taylor's Life Was Changing. Then the Police Came to Her Door.|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/30/us/breonna-taylor-police-killing.html|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011223/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/30/us/breonna-taylor-police-killing.html|url-status=live}}

The officers said that they announced themselves as police before forcing entry, but Walker said he did not hear any announcement and thought the officers were intruders. Walker fired his gun in the direction of the officers, in what he said was a warning shot.{{Cite web|last=Lovan|first=Dylan|title=Grand jury audio details moments before Breonna Taylor died|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/nation/2020/10/02/breonna-taylor-grand-jury-recording/5893277002/|date=October 2, 2020|agency=Associated Press|access-date=October 2, 2020|website=The Detroit News|language=en-US|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011221/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/nation/2020/10/02/breonna-taylor-grand-jury-recording/5893277002/|url-status=live}} The shot hit Mattingly in the leg,{{Cite web|last=Wolfson|first=Andrew|title=Experts: Report shows officer was shot by Breonna Taylor's boyfriend, not by friendly fire|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/10/08/breonna-taylor-report-shows-officer-shot-kenneth-walker-experts-say/5914804002/|access-date=October 28, 2021|website=The Courier-Journal|language=en-US|archive-date=January 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128071251/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/10/08/breonna-taylor-report-shows-officer-shot-kenneth-walker-experts-say/5914804002/|url-status=live}} and the officers fired 32 shots in return.{{cite news |last1=Wise |first1=John |title=Officers, suspect involved in deadly confrontation identified |url=https://www.wave3.com/2020/03/13/officers-suspect-involved-deadly-confrontation-identified/ |date=March 13, 2020 |access-date=May 31, 2020 |publisher=WAVE3 |quote=Sgt. Jon Mattingly, who has been with LMPD since 2000, also was struck by gunfire. He's expected to survive. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530084329/https://www.wave3.com/2020/03/13/officers-suspect-involved-deadly-confrontation-identified/ |archive-date=May 30, 2020 |url-status=live }} Walker was unhurt, but Taylor was hit by six bullets and died.{{Cite news|last1=Joseph|first1=Elizabeth|last2=Andone|first2=Dakin|title=Breonna Taylor's ex-boyfriend has been arrested and says she had nothing to do with alleged drug trade|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/27/us/breonna-taylor-jamarcus-glover-arrest/index.html|access-date=October 28, 2021|publisher=CNN|date=August 27, 2020|archive-date=August 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827235453/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/27/us/breonna-taylor-jamarcus-glover-arrest/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last1=Callimachi|first1=Rukmini|last2=Bogel-Burroughs|first2=Nicholas|last3=Eligon|first3=John|date=September 24, 2020|title=Breonna Taylor Live Updates: 2 Officers Shot in Louisville Protests|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/breonna-taylor-decision-verdict.html|access-date=September 24, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011224/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/breonna-taylor-decision-verdict.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last2=Costello|first1=Tessa|last1=Duvall|first2=Darcy|title=Breonna Taylor was briefly alive after police shot her. But no one tried to treat her|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2020/07/17/breonna-taylor-lay-untouched-20-minutes-after-being-shot-records/5389881002/|date=July 17, 2020|access-date=September 23, 2020|website=The Courier-Journal|language=en-US|archive-date=July 18, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200718042507/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2020/07/17/breonna-taylor-lay-untouched-20-minutes-after-being-shot-records/5389881002/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Duvall|first=Tessa|date=June 16, 2020|title=Fact Check: 7 widely shared inaccuracies in the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor|website=The Courier-Journal|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2020/06/16/breonna-taylor-fact-check-7-rumors-wrong/5326938002/|access-date=June 16, 2020|archive-date=June 28, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200628055320/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2020/06/16/breonna-taylor-fact-check-7-rumors-wrong/5326938002/|url-status=live}} During the incident, Hankison moved to the side of the apartment and shot 10 bullets through a covered window and glass door.{{Cite web|author=Emma Bowman|title=4 current and former officers federally charged in raid that killed Breonna Taylor|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/08/04/1115659537/breonna-taylor-police-charges-ky|website=NPR|date=August 4, 2022|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804232700/https://www.npr.org/2022/08/04/1115659537/breonna-taylor-police-charges-ky|url-status=live}} According to police, Taylor's home was never searched.{{Cite web|last=Pagones|first=Stephanie|date=October 2, 2020|title=Breonna Taylor grand jury audio: Officers testified they knocked before entering|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/kentucky-attorney-general-breonna-taylor-grand-jury|access-date=October 2, 2020|website=Fox News|language=en-US|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011223/https://www.foxnews.com/us/kentucky-attorney-general-breonna-taylor-grand-jury|url-status=live}}

Walker was charged with assault and attempted murder of a police officer, but the charges were dismissed with prejudice a year later.{{cite news|first=Tessa|last=Duvall|title=Charges permanently dropped against Breonna Taylor's boyfriend for shooting officer the night she was killed|date=March 8, 2021|newspaper=Louisville Courier Journal|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/03/08/kenneth-walker-charges-dropped-against-breonna-taylor-boyfriend/4629371001/|access-date=March 22, 2021|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320075354/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/03/08/kenneth-walker-charges-dropped-against-breonna-taylor-boyfriend/4629371001/|url-status=live}} In June 2020, the LMPD fired Hankison for blindly firing through the covered patio door and window of Taylor's apartment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53111709|title=Officer to be fired over Breonna Taylor shooting|date=June 20, 2020|work=BBC News|access-date=October 19, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011226/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53111709|url-status=live}} In September, the city of Louisville agreed to pay Taylor's family $12 million and reform police practices.{{Cite news|last=Lovan|first=Dylan|date=September 16, 2020|title='Say her name': City to pay $12M to Breonna Taylor's family|publisher=AP News|url=https://apnews.com/42df1f3ebea59ff20a309b8fe04619df|access-date=September 16, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011316/https://apnews.com/42df1f3ebea59ff20a309b8fe04619df|url-status=live}} Cosgrove was determined to have fired the fatal shot that killed Taylor, and in 2021, the LMPD fired him.{{Cite news |last1=Vera |first1=Amir |last2=Simko-Bednarski |first2=Evan |date=December 16, 2021 |title=Firing of Louisville detective who fatally shot Breonna Taylor is upheld after a board review |language=en |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/15/us/myles-cosgrove-breonna-taylor-termination-upheld-appeal/index.html |access-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019034556/https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/15/us/myles-cosgrove-breonna-taylor-termination-upheld-appeal/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Kenning |first=Chris |date=September 28, 2020 |title=Breonna Taylor case: Detective who likely fired fatal shot may retire after 'countless threats' |newspaper=Louisville Courier Journal |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/09/28/breonna-taylor-case-family-lmpd-cop-seeks-funds-help-retire/3562934001/ |access-date=October 17, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011315/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/09/28/breonna-taylor-case-family-lmpd-cop-seeks-funds-help-retire/3562934001/ |url-status=live }}

Further in September, a state grand jury indicted Hankison on three counts of felony first-degree wanton endangerment for endangering Taylor's neighbors with his shots.{{Cite news|title='Detective indicted for wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylor's death|url=https://www.wsbtv.com/news/trending/breonna-taylor-decision-whether-charge-officers-expected-today/ZKXDNSU555FOBIKPTAMQTIWGHU/|last=Seiger|first=Theresa|date=September 23, 2020|publisher=WSBTV|access-date=September 23, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011222/https://www.wsbtv.com/news/trending/breonna-taylor-decision-whether-charge-officers-expected-today/ZKXDNSU555FOBIKPTAMQTIWGHU/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Janelle|last=Griffith|title=Officer in Breonna Taylor case who fired fatal shot has fundraiser for his retirement|date=September 30, 2020|website=NBCNews.com|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/officer-breonna-taylor-case-who-fired-fatal-shot-has-fundraiser-n1241432|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011221/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/officer-breonna-taylor-case-who-fired-fatal-shot-has-fundraiser-n1241432|url-status=live}} In October, recordings from the grand jury investigation into the shooting were released.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54391432 |access-date=October 19, 2020 |title=Breonna Taylor grand jury recordings released |date=October 2, 2020 |work=BBC News |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011231/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54391432 |url-status=live }} Two of the jurors released a statement saying that the grand jury was not presented with homicide charges against the officers.{{cite news |author= |date=October 21, 2020 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-54626809 |title=Breonna Taylor: Grand Jury 'Not Given Chance to Bring Homicide Charges' |work=BBC News |access-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011234/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54626809 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |author=Allen, Karma |date=October 20, 2020 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/breonna-taylor-grand-jury-members-allowed-speak-judge/story?id=73719177 |title=Breonna Taylor Grand Jury Members Say They Were Not Presented with Homicide Charges |work=ABC News |access-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011321/https://abcnews.go.com/US/breonna-taylor-grand-jury-members-allowed-speak-judge/story?id=73719177 |url-status=live }} Several jurors have also accused Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron and the police of covering up what happened. On March 3, 2022, Hankison was acquitted of the endangerment charges by a jury in Kentucky v. Hankison.{{Cite news |last1=Almasy |first1=Steve |last2=Cooper |first2=Aaron |last3=Levenson |first3=Eric |date=March 3, 2022 |title=Ex-officer Brett Hankison was found not guilty of endangering Breonna Taylor's neighbors in a botched raid |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/03/us/brett-hankison-trial-closing/index.html |access-date=October 20, 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=November 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105024150/https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/03/us/brett-hankison-trial-closing/index.html |url-status=live }}

On August 4, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the Department of Justice was charging Hankison with the unconstitutional use of excessive force that violated Taylor's civil rights.{{Cite news|last=Wolfson|first=Andrew|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2023/02/15/breonna-taylor-case-brett-hankison-federal-civil-rights-trial/69908435007/|title=Federal civil rights trial of ex-LMPD Detective Brett Hankison in Breonna Taylor case is delayed further|work=The Courier-Journal|date=February 15, 2023|access-date=October 25, 2023|archive-date=January 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128071351/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2023/02/15/breonna-taylor-case-brett-hankison-federal-civil-rights-trial/69908435007/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2022 |title=Office of Public Affairs {{!}} Attorney General Merrick Garland Delivers Remarks Announcing Current and Former Louisville, Kentucky Police Officers Charged with Federal Crimes Related to Death of Breonna Taylor {{!}} United States Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-merrick-garland-delivers-remarks-announcing-current-and-former |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=justice.gov |language=en |archive-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027035856/https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-merrick-garland-delivers-remarks-announcing-current-and-former |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=March 8, 2023 |title=Office of Public Affairs {{!}} Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks on Civil Rights Violations by the Louisville Metro Police Department and Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government {{!}} United States Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-delivers-remarks-civil-rights-violations-louisville |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=justice.gov |language=en |archive-date=November 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105024148/https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-delivers-remarks-civil-rights-violations-louisville |url-status=live }} Hankison's federal trial began in October 2023, and concluded as a mistrial in November 2023;{{cite web |date=October 30, 2023 |title=Federal trial of ex-officer in Breonna Taylor case begins |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67262791 |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=BBC News |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101142608/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67262791 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2023 |title=Mistrial declared after federal jury deadlocks in trial of ex-officer in deadly Breonna Taylor raid |url=https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-federal-civil-rights-trial-police-6346bbfdc0d6a522e3088dfa80d61cc5 |access-date=November 17, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117090430/https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-federal-civil-rights-trial-police-6346bbfdc0d6a522e3088dfa80d61cc5 |url-status=live }} a retrial took place in October 2024. On November 1, 2024, Hankinson was found guilty of violating Taylor's civil rights through his use of excessive force.{{cite web | url=https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-brett-hankison-kentucky-louisville-3eccaf41592f8172e66e3557556a89be | title=Jury convicts former Kentucky officer of using excessive force on Breonna Taylor during deadly raid | website=AP | date=November 1, 2024|access-date=November 2, 2024}}

Three other officers—Kyle Meany, Joshua Jaynes, and Kelly Goodlett—who were not present at the shooting, were federally charged with conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and civil rights violations for conspiring to mislead the judge who approved the search warrant on Walker's house, then covering it up. Goodlett pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy. Meany and Jaynes pled not guilty to all charges.{{Cite web |title=Former Louisville cop pleads guilty to lying on Breonna Taylor search warrant |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2022/08/23/breonna-taylor-case-ex-louisville-cop-pleads-guilty-coverup/65406249007/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US |archive-date=January 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128071251/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2022/08/23/breonna-taylor-case-ex-louisville-cop-pleads-guilty-coverup/65406249007/ |url-status=live }}

On August 22, 2024, U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson dismissed two felony deprivation of rights under the color of law charges against Jaynes and Meany—effectively reducing the civil rights violation charges against them to misdemeanors. Judge Simpson found that Walker's actions had ultimately "disrupted" the officers' execution of the search warrant and led to the police shooting back; thus his actions had resulted in Taylor's death, not the warrant itself. Judge Simpson refused to dismiss the remaining charges: a charge of issuing a false statement to federal investigators against Meany, and charges of conspiracy to falsify records, falsifying records in a federal investigation, and witness tampering against Jaynes.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-police-boyfriend-a7ff7c9b48307dd6423e9e999c667405|title=Judge rules Breonna Taylor's boyfriend caused her death, dismisses some charges against ex-officers|first=Dylan|last=Lovan|publisher=Associated Press|date=August 23, 2024|accessdate=August 23, 2024|archive-date=August 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823202445/https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-police-boyfriend-a7ff7c9b48307dd6423e9e999c667405|url-status=live}}

People involved

File:Jefferson County Kentucky Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Louisville-Jefferson County metro government (balance) Highlighted 2148006.svg, Kentucky, with the highlighted portion of Jefferson County representing the "balance" population of Louisville. Also shown is its location within Kentucky.]]

Breonna Taylor worked for University of Louisville Health as a full-time emergency room technician{{Cite news|title=Breonna Taylor: Louisville EMT Killed in Botched Police Raid, Lawyer Says|last=Shellbourne|first=Talis|date=May 13, 2020|access-date=May 14, 2020|work=heavy.|url=https://heavy.com/news/2020/05/breonna-taylor/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513124530/https://heavy.com/news/2020/05/breonna-taylor/|archive-date=May 13, 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Breonna Taylor Obituary – Visitation & Funeral Information|url=https://www.springvalleyfuneral.net/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=12420734|website=springvalleyfuneral.net|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603015104/https://www.springvalleyfuneral.net/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=12420734|archive-date=June 3, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Martinez |first=Natalia |title=Personnel records give timeline of Breonna Taylor's career as an EMT |date=May 14, 2020 |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/personnel-records-give-timeline-of-breonna-taylors-career-as-an-emt/ar-BB145UO3 |access-date=October 25, 2023 |publisher=WAVE3 |via=MSN.com |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414195939/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/personnel-records-give-timeline-of-breonna-taylors-career-as-an-emt/ar-BB145UO3 |url-status=dead }} and was a former emergency medical technician. Her funeral was on March 21, 2020.
Kenneth Walker was Taylor's boyfriend, who was present with her in the apartment and fired the shot at what he said he thought were intruders.
Jonathan Mattingly (now retired) was an LMPD police officer who joined the department in 2000, became a sergeant in 2009, and joined the narcotics division in 2016.
Brett Hankison, a former Taylorsville resident, is a former LMPD detective. Hankison joined the department in 2003 after being part of the Lexington Police Department from 1999 until 2002. The LMPD fired him on June 23, 2020.
Myles Cosgrove is an LMPD police officer who was transferred to the department's narcotics division in 2016.
Kelly Goodlett is a former detective with the LMPD who was involved in writing the search warrant for Taylor's home. Goodlett later pleaded guilty to lying on the warrant and writing a false report to cover it up.{{Cite web |title=Former Louisville detective to plead guilty to Breonna Taylor cover-up |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/former-louisville-detective-plead-guilty-breonna-taylor-cover-rcna44352 |access-date=August 23, 2022 |website=NBC News |date=August 23, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903220617/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/former-louisville-detective-plead-guilty-breonna-taylor-cover-rcna44352 |url-status=live }}
Mary Shaw is the Jefferson County Circuit Court judge who authorized the warrant.{{Cite web |last=Wolfson |first=Andrew |title=Circuit judge who signed Breonna Taylor search warrant only one to face election challenge |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/elections/kentucky/2022/01/28/breonna-taylor-case-judge-who-signed-search-warrant-opposed-election/9241560002/ |access-date=August 24, 2022 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US |archive-date=January 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128071351/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/elections/kentucky/2022/01/28/breonna-taylor-case-judge-who-signed-search-warrant-opposed-election/9241560002/ |url-status=live }} In 2022, she lost her reelection bid and announced her retirement.{{Cite web |title=Judge who signed the warrant to search Breonna Taylor's apartment loses reelection bid |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2022/11/09/kentucky-judge-mary-shaw-loses-reelection-to-tracy-evette-davis/69633806007/ |access-date=November 9, 2022 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US |archive-date=January 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128071304/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2022/11/09/kentucky-judge-mary-shaw-loses-reelection-to-tracy-evette-davis/69633806007/ |url-status=live }}
Joshua Jaynes is a former detective with the LMPD.
Kyle Meany is a sergeant with the LMPD.[https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/23293923/breonna-taylor-police-charged-justice-department Why the Justice Department made a move in the police killing of Breonna Taylor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807161951/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/23293923/breonna-taylor-police-charged-justice-department |date=August 7, 2022 }}, Vox magazine, Fabiola Cineas August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.

Background

The LMPD investigation's primary targets were Jamarcus Glover and Adrian Walker (not related to Kenneth Walker),{{cite news|last1=Wise|first1=John P|date=September 8, 2020|title=Who's who in the Breonna Taylor case?|agency=WBTV|url=https://www.wbtv.com/2020/09/23/whos-who-breonna-taylor-case/|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011325/https://www.wbtv.com/2020/09/23/whos-who-breonna-taylor-case/|url-status=live}} who were suspected of selling controlled substances from a drug house approximately {{convert|10|mi|km}} away.{{Cite news|last1=Duvall|first1=Tessa|last2=Costello|first2=Darcy|date=May 12, 2020|title=Senator Kamala Harris demands federal investigation of police shooting of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky|work=Louisville Courier Journal|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/05/12/breonna-taylor-louisville-emt-not-main-target-drug-investigation/3115928001/|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=May 13, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200513060318/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/05/12/breonna-taylor-louisville-emt-not-main-target-drug-investigation/3115928001/|url-status=live}} Glover said the police had pressured him to move out of his residence for unspecified reasons.{{cite news|last1=Bailey|first1=Phillip M.|last2=Costello|first2=Darcy|last3=Duvall|first3=Tessa|date=August 27, 2020|title=Exclusive: Breonna Taylor had nothing to do with illegal drug trade, ex-boyfriend says|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/08/27/breonna-taylor-had-no-ties-drugs-ex-boyfriend-says/5641151002/|newspaper=The Courier-Journal|access-date=October 4, 2020|archive-date=September 1, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200901031938/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/08/27/breonna-taylor-had-no-ties-drugs-ex-boyfriend-says/5641151002/|url-status=live}} Glover and Taylor had been in an on-off relationship that started in 2016 and lasted until February 2020, when Taylor committed to Kenneth Walker.

In December 2016, a man named Fernandez Bowman was found dead in the front seat of a car rented by Taylor and used by Glover. He had been shot eight times. An unrelated party was later arrested for Bowman's death.{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Lauren |url=https://www.wlky.com/article/man-charged-with-murder-in-december-slaying/8662277 |title=Two months after loved one's murder, family 'grateful' for arrest |date=February 1, 2017 |publisher=WLKY |access-date=October 25, 2023 |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215212118/https://www.wlky.com/article/man-charged-with-murder-in-december-slaying/8662277 |url-status=live }} Glover had used Taylor's address and phone number for various purposes, including bank statements.{{cite news|author=WKYT News|date=August 26, 2020|title=Warrants issued for arrest of Breonna Taylor's ex-boyfriend amid leaked new documents|url=https://www.wkyt.com/2020/08/26/warrants-issued-for-arrest-of-breonna-taylors-ex-boyfriend-amid-leaked-new-documents/|access-date=October 3, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011346/https://www.wkyt.com/2020/08/26/warrants-issued-for-arrest-of-breonna-taylors-ex-boyfriend-amid-leaked-new-documents/|url-status=live}}

= Jamarcus Glover's statements =

In a variety of statements, Glover said that Taylor had no involvement in the drug operations, that as a favor she held money from the proceeds for him, and that she handled money for him for other purposes. In different recorded jailhouse conversations, Glover said that Taylor had been handling his money and that she was holding $8,000 of it, that he had given Taylor money to pay phone bills, and that he had told his sister that another woman had been keeping the group's money.{{Cite web|last=Riley|first=Jason|title=Drug suspect offered July plea deal if he would admit Breonna Taylor part of 'organized crime syndicate'|url=https://www.wdrb.com/in-depth/drug-suspect-offered-july-plea-deal-if-he-would-admit-breonna-taylor-part-of-organized/article_df18d6e0-ebaf-11ea-b636-9ff3afe1f8ed.html|access-date=September 24, 2020|website=WDRB|language=en|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011434/https://www.wdrb.com/in-depth/drug-suspect-offered-july-plea-deal-if-he-would-admit-breonna-taylor-part-of-organized/article_df18d6e0-ebaf-11ea-b636-9ff3afe1f8ed.html |date=August 31, 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Riley|first=Jason|date=August 27, 2020|title=New court records reveal jail phone calls after Breonna Taylor shooting|url=https://www.wdrb.com/in-depth/new-court-records-reveal-jail-phone-calls-after-breonna-taylor-shooting/article_7b75f76c-e899-11ea-96de-4bbf9536d026.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827234121/https://www.wdrb.com/in-depth/new-court-records-reveal-jail-phone-calls-after-breonna-taylor-shooting/article_7b75f76c-e899-11ea-96de-4bbf9536d026.html|archive-date=August 27, 2020|access-date=October 5, 2020|website=WDRB|language=en}}

In the recorded conversations and in an interview with The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Glover repeatedly said that Taylor was not involved in any drug operations and that police had "no business" looking for him at her residence, and denied that he had said in the recorded conversations that he kept money at her residence. Taylor was never a co-defendant in Glover's case.{{cite press release|last1=Wine|first1=Thomas B.|last2=Cooke|first2=Jeff|title=Statement by Thomas B. Wine in response to August 31, 2020 Facebook posts by Sam Aguiar: Re Breonna Taylor as Co-Defendant in the Jamarcus Glover case|url=http://louisvilleprosecutor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/08-31-2020-CAO30KY-Media-Release.pdf |date=August 31, 2020 |url-status=live|type=Press release|publisher=Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, Commonwealth of Kentucky, 30th Judicial Circuit|id=08-31-2020-CAO30KY|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930173136/http://louisvilleprosecutor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/08-31-2020-CAO30KY-Media-Release.pdf|archive-date=September 30, 2020|access-date=October 4, 2020|quote=Breonna Taylor was never a Co-Defendant in the Jamarcus Glover case. A case including Breonna Taylor as a Co-Defendant was never presented to the Grand Jury nor did our office ever consider presenting one to the Grand Jury with her name.}}

Incident

= Warrant =

LMPD obtained a "no-knock" search warrant for Taylor's apartment at 3003 Springfield Drive in Louisville. The search warrant included Taylor's residence because it was suspected that Glover received packages containing drugs there, might have been "keeping narcotics and/or proceeds from the sale of narcotics" there, and because a car registered to Taylor had been seen parked in front of Glover's house several times.{{cite news|last1=Burke|first1=Minyvonne|date=May 13, 2020|title=Breonna Taylor police shooting: What we know about the Kentucky woman's death|publisher=NBC News|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/breonna-taylor-police-shooting-what-we-know-about-kentucky-woman-n1207841|url-status=live|access-date=May 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530083219/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/breonna-taylor-police-shooting-what-we-know-about-kentucky-woman-n1207841|archive-date=May 30, 2020|quote=Her address was listed on the search warrant based on police's belief that Glover had used her apartment to receive mail, keep drugs or stash money. The warrant also stated that a car registered to Taylor had been seen parked on several occasions in front of a "drug house" known to Glover.}} Specifically, the warrant alleges that in January 2020, Glover left Taylor's apartment with an unknown package, presumed to contain drugs, and took it to a known drug apartment soon afterward. The warrant states that this event was verified "through a U.S. Postal Inspector". In May 2020, the U.S. postal inspector in Louisville publicly announced that the purported collaboration with law enforcement had never occurred. The postal office said it was asked by a different agency to monitor packages going to Taylor's apartment, but after doing so, it concluded, "There's{{sic}} no packages of interest going there."

This public revelation put the investigation and especially the warrant into question; it resulted in an internal investigation by the police department.{{cite web |title=Breonna Taylor attorneys: LMPD supplied 'false information' on 'no-knock' warrant |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2020/05/16/breonna-taylor-attorneys-say-police-supplied-false-information/5205334002/ |first=Darcy |last=Costello |date=May 16, 2020 |access-date=September 18, 2020 |publisher=CourierJournal |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200612004434/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2020/05/16/breonna-taylor-attorneys-say-police-supplied-false-information/5205334002/ |url-status=live }}

The warrant was applied for by LMPD detective Joshua C. Jaynes and was among a total of five warrants approved the preceding day by Jefferson County Circuit Judge Mary Shaw "within 12 minutes".{{Cite news|last1=Tobin|first1=Ben|last2=Duvall|first2=Tessa|title=Louisville detective who obtained no-knock warrant for Breonna Taylor's apartment reassigned|newspaper=USA Today|publisher=Gannett|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/06/16/breonna-taylor-louisville-detective-joshua-jaynes-no-knock-warrant-reassigned/3200277001/ |url-status=live |date=June 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617042746/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/06/16/breonna-taylor-louisville-detective-joshua-jaynes-no-knock-warrant-reassigned/3200277001/|archive-date=June 17, 2020|issn=0734-7456}} It was stamped as filed with the court clerk's office on April 2.{{Cite magazine|last=Sullum|first=Jacob|date=June 21, 2020|title=Was the Search Warrant for the Drug Raid That Killed Breonna Taylor Illegal? The information in the no-knock warrant application was based purely on guilt by association|url=https://reason.com/2020/06/21/was-the-search-warrant-for-the-drug-raid-that-killed-breonna-taylor-illegal/|magazine=Reason|issn=0048-6906|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001002932/https://reason.com/2020/06/21/was-the-search-warrant-for-the-drug-raid-that-killed-breonna-taylor-illegal/|archive-date=October 1, 2020|access-date=October 9, 2020|url-status=live}}{{Citation|title=Search Warrant|date=March 12, 2020|url=https://reason.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Breonna-Taylor-search-warrants.pdf|publication-date=June 21, 2020|type=Affidavit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003211700/https://reason.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Breonna-Taylor-search-warrants.pdf|place=Jefferson County, Kentucky|publisher=Reason|id=20-1371|access-date=October 9, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|url-status=live}} All five warrants contain similar language to justify no-knock entry that concludes with "due to the nature of how these drug traffickers operate". Christopher Slobogin, director of Vanderbilt University's Criminal Justice Program, said that unless police had a reason to suspect that Taylor's residence had surveillance cameras, "a no-knock warrant would be improper." Brian Gallini, a professor at the University of Arkansas, also expressed skepticism about the warrant, writing that if it was appropriate in this particular search, "then every routine drug transaction would justify grounds for no-knock".

In September 2022, WHAS11 news reported that as part of Goodlett's plea deal, she stated that Jaynes sought the warrants from Shaw "because he believed she would not closely scrutinize the warrants".{{Cite web |last=Lally |first=Tom |date=September 6, 2022 |title=Louisville mayor, police chief weigh in on ex-LMPD detective's claims about Breonna Taylor warrant |url=https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/false-details-breonna-taylor-warrant-kelly-goodlett/417-647ffed7-7bb9-4462-b819-c5a27097d39e |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=whas11.com |language=en-US |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171011/https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/false-details-breonna-taylor-warrant-kelly-goodlett/417-647ffed7-7bb9-4462-b819-c5a27097d39e |url-status=live }}

Jaynes attested in the affidavit that:{{blockquote|Affiant verified through a US Postal Inspector that Jamarcus Glover has been receiving packages at 3003 Springfield Drive #4. Affiant knows through training and experience that it is not uncommon for drug traffickers to receive mail packages at different locations to avoid detection from law enforcement. Affiant believes through training and experience, that Mr. J. Glover may be keeping narcotics and/or proceeds from the sale of narcotics at 3003 Springfield Drive #4 for safe keeping.}}

But Sergeant Timothy Salyer, supervisor of the Shively, Kentucky, police department's Special Investigations Unit, told LMPD internal investigators in May that due to "bad blood" between the United States Postal Inspection Service and the LMPD, inquiries related to the drug trafficking investigation had been routed through the Shively Police Department.{{cite web|date=October 8, 2020 |first=Evan |last=Simko-Bednarski|title=There were conflicting accounts about packages sent to Breonna Taylor's address before fatal raid, documents say|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/08/us/louisville-breonna-taylor-packages/index.html |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009045346/https://lite.cnn.com/en/article/h_3e57c7fa17f3b241dc4560901f04bdeb|archive-date=October 9, 2020|access-date=October 9, 2020|work=CNN|quote=Jaynes told investigators that Mattingly had relayed to him prior to the raid that no suspicious packages had arrived at the address, but ordinary packages had. He said Mattingly had told him, 'Your guy just gets – just gets Amazon or mail packages there.'}} In his interview with internal investigators, Jaynes said that before the raid on Taylor's apartment, Mattingly told him that the Shively Police Department had reported that the United States Postal Service had not delivered any suspicious packages to that address.{{cite web|last=Guerilus|first=Stephanie|date=October 1, 2020|title=Police told 'no suspicious,' drug-related packages sent to Breonna Taylor's home|url=https://thegrio.com/2020/10/01/police-no-suspicious-packages-sent-to-breonna-taylor-home/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007013934/https://thegrio.com/2020/10/01/police-no-suspicious-packages-sent-to-breonna-taylor-home/|archive-date=October 7, 2020|access-date=October 9, 2020|work=The Grio}} Jaynes was reassigned from his duties with the LMPD in June.

According to The New York Times, before the execution of the no-knock warrant, orders were changed to "knock and announce".{{Cite news|last=Oppel| first=Richard A. Jr. |date=May 30, 2020|title=Here's What You Need to Know About Breonna Taylor's Death|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/breonna-taylor-police.html|url-status=live|access-date=June 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601003544/https://www.nytimes.com/article/breonna-taylor-police.html|archive-date=June 1, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} (From the [https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.nytimes.com/article/breonna-taylor-police.html Internet Archive index] for the page, compare captures for August 30, 2020, and September 2, 2020, to see the change in coverage concerning the warrant.){{cite news|last1=Oppel| first1=Richard A. Jr. |last2=Taylor|first2=Bryson Taylor|date=September 1, 2020|title=Here's What You Need to Know About Breonna Taylor's Death|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/breonna-taylor-police.html|access-date=September 1, 2020|archive-date=June 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601003544/https://www.nytimes.com/article/breonna-taylor-police.html|url-status=live}}

= Police entry into the apartment =

Shortly after midnight on March 13, 2020, Louisville police dressed in plain clothes knocked on Taylor's door before forcing entry using a battering ram.{{Cite news|last=Burke|first=Minyvonne|date=May 13, 2020|title=Woman shot and killed by Kentucky police who entered wrong home, family says|publisher=NBC News|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/black-woman-shot-killed-after-kentucky-police-entered-her-home-n1205651|url-status=live|access-date=May 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514023418/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/black-woman-shot-killed-after-kentucky-police-entered-her-home-n1205651|archive-date=May 14, 2020}} There is dispute as to whether the officers announced themselves before forcing entry. Walker contends that Taylor asked, "Who is it?" several times after hearing a loud bang at the door. Hearing no answer, he decided to call his mother instead of the police. After calling his mother, he dialed 911{{cite web|url= https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/what-war-probably-sounds-boyfriend-breonna-taylor-recalls-her-fatal-n1243426|title= Breonna Taylor's boyfriend recalls her fatal shooting|publisher= nbcnews.com|access-date= October 9, 2020|archive-date= December 29, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011406/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/what-war-probably-sounds-boyfriend-breonna-taylor-recalls-her-fatal-n1243426 |date=October 14, 2020 |first=Minyvonne |last=Burke |url-status=live }} and armed himself. The police officers involved have testified that they announced themselves multiple times before using the battering ram to enter the apartment.{{cite news|last=Corsey|first=Gill|date=October 6, 2020|title='There's somebody in there dead?' Body camera video shows frantic moments after fatal raid on Breonna Taylor's home|url=https://www.wdrb.com/news/body-camera-video-shows-frantic-moments-after-fatal-raid-on-breonna-taylors-home/article_1ec98154-080c-11eb-a45c-abdc67f16c12.html|access-date=October 13, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011334/https://www.wdrb.com/news/body-camera-video-shows-frantic-moments-after-fatal-raid-on-breonna-taylors-home/article_1ec98154-080c-11eb-a45c-abdc67f16c12.html|url-status=live}}

The New York Times interviewed roughly a dozen neighbors and reported that only one of them, who was on the exterior staircase immediately above Taylor's apartment, heard the officers shout "Police!" once and knock at least three times, while the other interviewed neighbors heard no announcement, including one who was outside smoking a cigarette.

According to a statement by Attorney General Cameron, an independent investigation concluded that the no-knock warrant was served as a knock-and-announce warrant, which was corroborated by one independent witness who was near Taylor's apartment.{{Cite news|last=Cineas|first=Cineas|date=September 24, 2020|title=Protesters demand justice after police officers aren't charged with killing Breonna Taylor|work=Vox|url=https://www.vox.com/2020/9/23/21436440/breonna-taylor-officer-shooting-grand-jury-charges|access-date=September 24, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011311/https://www.vox.com/2020/9/23/21436440/breonna-taylor-officer-shooting-grand-jury-charges|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|last=Sullum|first=Jacob|date=September 24, 2020|title=The Legal Response to Breonna Taylor's Death Shows How Drug Prohibition Transforms Murder Into Self-Defense|url=https://reason.com/2020/09/24/the-legal-response-to-breonna-taylors-death-shows-how-drug-prohibition-transforms-murder-into-self-defense/|magazine=Reason|issn=0048-6906|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002092108/https://reason.com/2020/09/24/the-legal-response-to-breonna-taylors-death-shows-how-drug-prohibition-transforms-murder-into-self-defense/|archive-date=October 2, 2020|access-date=September 24, 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Meier|first=Travis|date=September 24, 2020|title=Officers did knock before Breonna Taylor shooting, investigation finds|work=KHON2|url=https://www.khon2.com/news/national/officers-did-knock-before-breonna-taylor-shooting-investigation-finds/|access-date=September 24, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011349/https://www.khon2.com/news/national/officers-did-knock-before-breonna-taylor-shooting-investigation-finds/|url-status=live}} But on September 30, this witness's lawyer said that police announced themselves "only in passing" and implied that the witness was quoted out of context or that video was deceptively spliced.{{cite news|last=Knowles|first=Hannah|date=September 29, 2020|title=Questions are mounting over the Breonna Taylor charges. Here's what people want to know.|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/09/29/breonna-taylor-charges-questions/|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011432/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/09/29/breonna-taylor-charges-questions/|url-status=live}} According to VICE News, the witness originally said "nobody identified themselves" when he was interviewed by police a week after the shooting. But when the police called him two months later, he said he heard, "This is the cops."{{cite news|last=Ferdman|first=Roberto|date=September 27, 2020|title=The Only Witness Who Heard Police Announce Themselves at Breonna Taylor's Door Changed His Story|work=Vice News|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/breonna-taylor-investigation-witness-changes-story/|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011359/https://www.vice.com/en/article/bv8qyd/breonna-taylor-investigation-witness-changes-story|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Kala|last=Kachmar|title=Rifle casings were found at scene of Breonna Taylor shooting, AG's office says|date=October 29, 2020|newspaper=Louisville Courier Journal|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/10/29/breonna-taylor-shooting-rifle-casings-found-scene-cameron-says/6078173002/|access-date=March 16, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128071252/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/10/29/breonna-taylor-shooting-rifle-casings-found-scene-cameron-says/6078173002/|url-status=live}}

= Shooting and aftermath =

Walker said that he and Taylor believed intruders were breaking into the apartment. He initially told police during his arrest that Taylor had opened fire,{{cite news|title=The Latest: Subdued group gathers at Louisville park|date=October 3, 2020|publisher=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-archive-kentucky-81cec3a0747ef026c5f4ad73b1378bb7|access-date=March 26, 2021|quote=Walker said 'she was the one who shot at us.' Walker later confessed that he was the one who opened fire.|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108171940/https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-archive-kentucky-81cec3a0747ef026c5f4ad73b1378bb7|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Gil|last=Corsey|title=Body camera video shows frantic moments after fatal raid on Breonna Taylor's home|date=March 26, 2021|website=WDRB.com|url=https://www.wdrb.com/news/body-camera-video-shows-frantic-moments-after-fatal-raid-on-breonna-taylors-home/article_1ec98154-080c-11eb-a45c-abdc67f16c12.html|access-date=March 26, 2021|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011334/https://www.wdrb.com/news/body-camera-video-shows-frantic-moments-after-fatal-raid-on-breonna-taylors-home/article_1ec98154-080c-11eb-a45c-abdc67f16c12.html|url-status=live}} but later reversed his statement, saying that he had "let out one shot at the ground", which he described as a warning shot in self-defense.{{cite web |last1=Josh |first1=Marcus |title='She was scared': New bodycam video raises questions in Breonna Taylor case |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/new-body-camera-footage-police-breonna-taylor-b870319.html |website=The Independent |access-date=March 20, 2021 |date=October 8, 2020 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202180733/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/new-body-camera-footage-police-breonna-taylor-b870319.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Yang |first1=Allie |display-authors=etal |title=New details emerge in chaotic moments after Breonna Taylor shooting |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/details-emerge-chaotic-moments-breonna-taylor-shooting/story?id=74254765 |website=ABC News |access-date=March 20, 2021 |date=November 18, 2020 |archive-date=March 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320065103/https://abcnews.go.com/US/details-emerge-chaotic-moments-breonna-taylor-shooting/story?id=74254765 |url-status=live }} According to officials, the shot struck Mattingly in the leg.{{cite web|last=Miles|first=Frank|title=Ballistics raise doubts about AG Cameron's claim Breonna Taylor's boyfriend shot officer: report|work=Fox News|date=September 27, 2020|access-date=October 10, 2020|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/ballistics-dont-support-ag-camerons-claim-breonna-taylors-boyfriend-shot-officer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011184110/https://www.foxnews.com/us/ballistics-dont-support-ag-camerons-claim-breonna-taylors-boyfriend-shot-officer|archive-date=October 11, 2020|url-status=dead}} Mattingly said that Walker "wasn't shooting at the ground" and "was in a stretched out [position] with two hands, looking straight at me." Walker's legal team asserts that because forensic photography shows no blood in the part of the apartment where Mattingly said he was shot, because a court-sealed photograph of the single hollow-point bullet from Walker's firearm shows no blood, and because, based on consultations with pathologists, they believe that a hollow-point bullet would have done "considerably" more damage to Mattingly's thigh, the evidence suggests Mattingly was shot by police officers. A Kentucky State Police ballistics report is inconclusive, saying that "due to limited markings of comparative value", the bullet that hit Mattingly and exited his thigh was neither "identified nor eliminated as having been fired" from Walker's gun. But it was fired from a 9 mm pistol like Walker's, whereas all officers were carrying 40-caliber guns.

Police responded to the shot by firing 32 rounds into the apartment during two "flurries" or waves of shots, separated by one minute and eight seconds. Mattingly, the only officer who entered the residence fired six shots.{{cite news|title=Protester struck by SUV at Breonna Taylor demonstration In Hollywood|date=September 24, 2020|newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2020/09/24/protester-struck-by-suv-at-breonna-taylor-demonstration-in-hollywood/|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011447/https://www.dailynews.com/2020/09/24/protester-struck-by-suv-at-breonna-taylor-demonstration-in-hollywood/|url-status=live}} At the same time, Cosgrove fired 16 shots from the doorway area in a matter of seconds. Hankison fired 10 times from outside through a sliding glass door and bedroom window, both of which were covered by blinds or curtains. The officers' shots hit objects in the living room, dining room, kitchen, hallway, bathroom, and both bedrooms.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000007348445/breonna-taylor-death-cops.html|title=How the Police Killed Breonna Taylor|date=December 28, 2020|first1=Malachy|last1=Browne|first2=Anjali|last2=Singhvi|first3=Natalie|last3=Reneau|first4=Drew|last4=Jordan|website=The New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228123831/https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000007348445/breonna-taylor-death-cops.html|archive-date=December 28, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=December 29, 2020}}

Taylor was struck by five or six bullets in the hallway and pronounced dead at the scene.{{Cite web|title=Breonna Taylor Was Shot and Killed by Police in Her Own Home|url=https://www.thecut.com/2020/05/breonna-taylor-louisville-shooting-police-what-we-know.html|last=Read|first=Bridget|date=May 27, 2020|website=The Cut|access-date=June 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530185837/https://www.thecut.com/2020/05/breonna-taylor-louisville-shooting-police-what-we-know.html|archive-date=May 30, 2020|url-status=live}} Cosgrove fired the shot that killed her. Walker was uninjured.

According to police grand-jury testimony, the warrant was never executed and Taylor's apartment was not searched for drugs or money after the shooting. More than a month after the shooting, Glover was offered a plea deal if he would testify that Taylor was part of his drug dealing operations. Prosecutors said that that offer was in a draft of the deal but later removed. Glover rejected the deal.

Two years later, Mattingly said he was sorry Taylor "got shot", adding he "didn't want that".

On November 19, 2020, Glover's associate Adrian Walker was fatally shot. The Louisville police stated that they had no suspects in the killing.{{cite news |first=Darcy |last=Costello |date=November 20, 2020 |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/11/20/breonna-taylor-suspect-drug-investigation-led-taylor-shot/6359459002/ |title=Man Linked to Drug Investigation that Led Police to Breonna Taylor's Door Is Fatally Shot |work=The Courier-Journal |access-date=December 9, 2020 |archive-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210108052159/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/11/20/breonna-taylor-suspect-drug-investigation-led-taylor-shot/6359459002/ |url-status=live }}

Investigations

= Autopsy and death certificate =

An autopsy was conducted on Taylor, and her cause of death was determined to be homicide. The death certificate also notes that she received five gunshot wounds to the body. The coroner denied The Courier-Journal{{'}}s request for a copy of the autopsy and newspaper was appealing to the Attorney General's office as of July 17, 2020. The newspaper's appeal to the Attorney General's office was denied but the autopsy report was publicly released on September 25, 2020{{cite web | url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/25/breonna-taylor-autopsy-report-reveals-how-police-bullets-killed-her/3537839001/ | title=Breonna Taylor autopsy report reveals how Louisville police bullets killed her }}

= Investigations into the three police officers =

The police filed an incident report that claimed that Taylor had no injuries and that no forced entry occurred. The police department said that technical errors led to a nearly entirely blank malformed report.{{cite news |last1=Duvall |first1=Tessa |title=Louisville police release the Breonna Taylor incident report. It's virtually blank |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2020/06/10/breonna-taylor-shooting-louisville-police-release-incident-report/5332915002/ |work=Louisville Courier Journal |date=June 11, 2020 |access-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-date=June 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200610182703/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2020/06/10/breonna-taylor-shooting-louisville-police-release-incident-report/5332915002/ |url-status=live }}

== Local and state investigation ==

All three officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative reassignment pending the outcome of an investigation by the police department's internal Professional Integrity Unit.{{cite news |first1=Darcy |last1=Costello |first2=Tessa |last2=Duvall |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/metro-government/2020/05/16/breonna-taylor-shooting-what-we-know-louisville-police-officers-involved/5200879002/ |title=Who are the 3 Louisville officers involved in the Breonna Taylor shooting? What we know |work=Louisville Courier Journal |orig-date=May 16, 2020 |date=June 20, 2020 |access-date=May 31, 2020 |archive-date=May 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200522082954/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/metro-government/2020/05/16/breonna-taylor-shooting-what-we-know-louisville-police-officers-involved/5200879002/ |url-status=live }} On May 20, 2020, the investigation's findings were given to Daniel Cameron, the attorney general of Kentucky, to determine whether any officer should be criminally charged. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer also asked the FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office to review the findings.

In early June, Fischer called for Officer Hankison to be removed from the Louisville Police Merit Board, which reviews appeals from police officers in departmental disciplinary matters.{{Cite news|first=Crystal|last=Bonvillian|agency=Cox Media Group National Content|title=Officer in Breonna Taylor case under investigation for sexual assault, mayor says|url=https://www.boston25news.com/news/trending/officer-breonna-taylor-case-under-investigation-sexual-assault-mayor-says/ZCN7WI7AP5GGFLCT3AW2XRLG3Y/|date=June 12, 2020|access-date=June 17, 2020|publisher=WFXT|language=en-US|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011422/https://www.boston25news.com/news/trending/officer-breonna-taylor-case-under-investigation-sexual-assault-mayor-says/ZCN7WI7AP5GGFLCT3AW2XRLG3Y/|url-status=live}} Hankison was one of five members of the board, which consists of three civilians and two police officers selected by the River City Fraternal Order of Police. On June 19, three months after Taylor's killing, Louisville Metro Police interim chief Robert Schroeder sent Hankison a letter notifying him that Schroeder had begun termination proceedings against him.{{Cite news|last1=Costello|first1=Darcy|title=Louisville police is firing officer Brett Hankison involved in Breonna Taylor shooting|newspaper=USA Today|publisher=Gannett|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/06/19/breonna-taylor-shooting-louisville-police-fire-officer-brett-hankison/3222169001/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620052807/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/06/19/breonna-taylor-shooting-louisville-police-fire-officer-brett-hankison/3222169001/ |date=June 19, 2020 |archive-date=June 20, 2020|issn=0734-7456}}{{cite news |first1=Rebecca |last1=Reynolds Yonker |first2= Bruce |last2=Schreiner |url=https://www.registercitizen.com/news/article/Officer-involved-in-Breonna-Taylor-shooting-to-be-15352297.php |url-status=dead |title=Officer involved in Breonna Taylor shooting to be fired |agency=Associated Press |date=June 19, 2020 |work=The Register Citizen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621215708/https://www.registercitizen.com/news/article/Officer-involved-in-Breonna-Taylor-shooting-to-be-15352297.php |archive-date=June 21, 2020 }} The letter accused Hankison of violating departmental policies on the use of deadly force by "wantonly and blindly" firing into Taylor's apartment without determining whether any person presented "an immediate threat" or whether there were "any innocent persons present". The letter also cited past disciplinary action taken against Hankison by the department, including for reckless conduct.{{cite news |first1=Darcy |last1=Costello |first2=Tessa |last2=Duvall |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/metro-government/2020/06/19/breonna-taylor-protests-brett-hankison-fired-lmpd/3222004001/ |title=Officer Brett Hankison being fired from Louisville police after Breonna Taylor shooting |work=Louisville Courier Journal |date=June 19, 2020 |access-date=June 19, 2020 |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=http://wayback.vefsafn.is/wayback/20200725083442/https://eu.courier%2Djournal.com/story/news/politics/metro%2Dgovernment/2020/06/19/breonna%2Dtaylor%2Dprotests%2Dbrett%2Dhankison%2Dfired%2Dlmpd/3222004001/ |url-status=live }} Hankison was formally fired four days later (June 23); he had ten days (until July 3) to appeal his termination to the Louisville Police Merit Board.{{cite news |url=https://www.wlky.com/article/fired-det-brett-hankisons-from-lmpd-termination-is-official/32950813 |title=Fired: Det. Brett Hankison's termination from LMPD is official |work=WLKY |date=June 23, 2020 |access-date=June 24, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011416/https://www.wlky.com/article/fired-det-brett-hankisons-from-lmpd-termination-is-official/32950813 |url-status=live }} That appeal was delayed until the termination of the criminal investigation.{{cite news |title=Appeal delayed for fired LMPD officer involved in Breonna Taylor raid |url=https://www.wdrb.com/news/appeal-delayed-for-fired-lmpd-officer-involved-in-breonna-taylor-raid/article_bf3e5ea8-c602-11ea-9ce8-db2edd607e3a.html |website=WDRB |access-date=September 10, 2020 |date=July 14, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011342/https://www.wdrb.com/news/appeal-delayed-for-fired-lmpd-officer-involved-in-breonna-taylor-raid/article_bf3e5ea8-c602-11ea-9ce8-db2edd607e3a.html |url-status=live }}

On September 23, 2020, a state grand jury indicted Hankison on three counts of wanton endangerment for endangering a neighboring family of three when shots he fired penetrated their apartment.{{cite news|first1=Josh|last1=Wood|first2=Joan E.|last2=Greve|title=Breonna Taylor decision: arrests as protesters take to streets for second night|date=September 25, 2020|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/24/breonna-taylor-protests-louisville-grand-jury-decision|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011405/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/24/breonna-taylor-protests-louisville-grand-jury-decision|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Pilar|last=Melendez|title=Breonna Taylor's Neighbor: Why Weren't Cops Charged for Shots Fired Into My Apartment?|date=September 28, 2020|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/breonna-taylors-neighbor-asks-why-werent-cops-charged-for-shots-fired-into-his-apartment|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011342/https://www.thedailybeast.com/breonna-taylors-neighbor-asks-why-werent-cops-charged-for-shots-fired-into-his-apartment|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Nicholas|last=Bogel-Burroughs|title=What Is 'Wanton Endangerment,' the Charge in the Breonna Taylor Case?|date=September 23, 2020|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/wanton-endangerment.html|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011344/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/wanton-endangerment.html|url-status=live}} He faced up to five years in prison and a fine for each count. Bullets also entered the upstairs apartment of a black family but no charges were filed. An attorney for Taylor's family criticized this decision, stating: "Three counts for the shots into the apartment of the white neighbors, but no counts for the shots into the apartment of the black neighbors upstairs above Breonna's".{{cite news|first=Jonathan|last=Bullington|title=Breonna Taylor neighbor wants to know why cop wasn't charged for shooting into his unit|date=September 29, 2020|newspaper=Louisville Courier Journal|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/28/breonna-taylor-neighbor-bullets-went-my-unit-cop-wasnt-charged/3533340001/|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=October 3, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201003005305/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/28/breonna-taylor-neighbor-bullets-went-my-unit-cop-wasnt-charged/3533340001/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Jess|last=Clark|title=Breonna Taylor's Neighbors Unsatisfied With Charges, Attorney Says|date=September 24, 2020|website=WFPL.org|url=https://wfpl.org/breonna-taylors-neighbors-unsatisfied-with-charges-attorney-says/|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011421/https://wfpl.org/breonna-taylors-neighbors-unsatisfied-with-charges-attorney-says/|url-status=live}} Neither Hankison nor the two other officers involved in the raid were indicted for Taylor's death.{{Cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Kevin|last2=Craig|first2=Tim|last3=Iati|first3=Marisa|date=September 24, 2020|title=Kentucky grand jury declines to file homicide charges in death of Breonna Taylor|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/kentucky-grand-jury-declines-to-file-homicide-charges-in-death-of-breonna-taylor/2020/09/23/2472392a-fdb7-11ea-b555-4d71a9254f4b_story.html|access-date=September 24, 2020|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011445/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/kentucky-grand-jury-declines-to-file-homicide-charges-in-death-of-breonna-taylor/2020/09/23/2472392a-fdb7-11ea-b555-4d71a9254f4b_story.html|url-status=live}}

The Louisville Courier Journal raised questions about whether the grand jury had been allowed to decide whether charges should be pressed against Mattingly and Cosgrove, or whether prosecutors decided that the officers acted in self-defense without submitting the issue to the grand jury. Hankison's and Walker's attorneys requested the release of the grand jury transcript and related evidence.{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Wolfson|title=The 'very troubling' questions AG Cameron isn't answering on the Breonna Taylor decision|date=September 26, 2020|newspaper=Louisville Courier Journal|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/26/questions-attorney-general-daniel-cameron-wont-answer-breonna-taylor-grand-jury/3532171001/|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200927044607/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/26/questions-attorney-general-daniel-cameron-wont-answer-breonna-taylor-grand-jury/3532171001/|url-status=live}} On September 28, a grand juror filed a court motion stating that Cameron had mischaracterized the grand-jury proceedings and was "using grand jurors as a shield to deflect accountability and responsibility" for charging decisions. A judge ordered the release of the grand jury proceedings' recording;{{Cite web|last=Vogt|first=Dustin|title=Ky. AG Cameron to release grand jury recording Wednesday following grand juror motion|url=https://www.wave3.com/2020/09/28/grand-juror-files-motion-release-transcripts-proceedings-breonna-taylor-investigation/|date=September 28, 2020|access-date=September 29, 2020|publisher=WAVE3|language=en-US|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011421/https://www.wave3.com/2020/09/28/grand-juror-files-motion-release-transcripts-proceedings-breonna-taylor-investigation/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last2=Costello|first1=Tessa|last1=Duvall|first2=Darcy|title=Grand juror files suit to release transcript, permission to speak on Breonna Taylor case|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/28/grand-juror-files-suit-seeking-release-transcript-breonna-taylor-case/3568388001/|date=September 28, 2020|access-date=September 29, 2020|website=The Courier-Journal|language=en-US|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200929010458/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/28/grand-juror-files-suit-seeking-release-transcript-breonna-taylor-case/3568388001/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Callimachi|first=Rukmini|date=September 28, 2020|title=Grand Jury Deliberations in Breonna Taylor Case Will Be Released|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/28/us/breonna-taylor-grand-jury.html|access-date=September 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011427/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/28/us/breonna-taylor-grand-jury.html|url-status=live}} Cameron's office and Hankison's attorney opposed the ruling.{{cite web |title=Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron asks judge to revoke order, keep evidence sealed in Breonna Taylor case |work=ABC News |date=October 17, 2020 |first=Karma |last=Allen |access-date=April 22, 2021 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/kentucky-ag-daniel-cameron-asks-judge-revoke-order/story?id=73673792 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519160626/https://abcnews.go.com/US/kentucky-ag-daniel-cameron-asks-judge-revoke-order/story?id=73673792 |url-status=live }} A day later, Cameron said that he did not recommend murder charges to the grand jury, but maintained that he presented "a thorough and complete case".{{cite news |first1=Hannah |last1=Knowles |first2=Marisa |last2=Iati |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/09/28/breonna-taylor-grand-juror/ |title=Kentucky attorney general says he did not present homicide charges to grand jury in Breonna Taylor case |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 28, 2020 |access-date=October 2, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011447/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/09/28/breonna-taylor-grand-juror/ |url-status=live }} While recordings of testimony and some other parts of the proceedings were released, the juror deliberations and prosecutor recommendations were not released and, according to the state attorney general's office, were never recorded.

On October 22, a second grand juror criticized Cameron, how the grand jury was operated, and how Cameron presented the grand jury's conclusion.{{Cite web|last=Hill|first=Crystal|date=October 23, 2020|title='A flat-out lie': Breonna Taylor attorneys seek new prosecutor after jurors speak out|url=https://news.yahoo.com/a-flatout-lie-breonna-taylor-attorneys-seek-new-prosecutor-after-jurors-speak-out-194712664.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMKrwWNWFXWnxAKbMxz6w0z4cPM8odiQbk1sdW7--z9SOuySyNs0WKKo99JoEn0crqkSERv2mLQwnOWomQjxwxV0723m1Rxl9L5RcL0QhYp50ArPt1tjuVEHG1tGgp1GzYiQCNYm99ARmAOYp8c3BqSjAJytiZfNQPpRnKoo9fLy|access-date=October 24, 2020|website=Yahoo News|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011432/https://news.yahoo.com/a-flatout-lie-breonna-taylor-attorneys-seek-new-prosecutor-after-jurors-speak-out-194712664.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMKrwWNWFXWnxAKbMxz6w0z4cPM8odiQbk1sdW7--z9SOuySyNs0WKKo99JoEn0crqkSERv2mLQwnOWomQjxwxV0723m1Rxl9L5RcL0QhYp50ArPt1tjuVEHG1tGgp1GzYiQCNYm99ARmAOYp8c3BqSjAJytiZfNQPpRnKoo9fLy|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Lovan|first=Dylan|date=October 22, 2020|title=2nd Breonna Taylor grand juror criticizes proceedings|url=https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-louisville-shootings-kentucky-4936db1c4c4c3844dba1197c89833242|access-date=October 24, 2020|website=AP News|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011432/https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-louisville-shootings-kentucky-4936db1c4c4c3844dba1197c89833242|url-status=live}} The juror agreed with the first juror's statement, including that members of the grand jury wanted to consider other charges against the officers, including homicide charges. But "the panel was steered away from considering homicide charges and left in the dark about self-defense laws during deliberations." These statements contradict Cameron's claims that the grand jury "agreed" the officers who shot Taylor were justified in returning fire after Taylor's boyfriend shot at them. The first grand juror said the panel "didn't agree that certain actions were justified".

One of the anonymous jurors said that the police {{nowrap|"...{{hsp}}covered}} it up. That's what the evidence that I saw [led me to conclude]. And I felt like there should have been lots more charges on them."{{Cite web|date=October 29, 2020|title=Breonna Taylor grand juror claims there was enough evidence for homicide charges, police "covered" their mistakes|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/breonna-taylor-grand-juror-homicide-charges-police-mistakes/|access-date=October 31, 2020|website=CBS News |archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011515/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/breonna-taylor-grand-juror-homicide-charges-police-mistakes/|url-status=live}} On March 3, 2022, jurors acquitted Hankison on all three counts after deliberating for three hours.{{cite news|first=Nicholas|last=Bogel-Burroughs|title=Officer Acquitted of Endangering Breonna Taylor's Neighbors in Raid|date=March 3, 2022|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/03/us/breonna-taylor-brett-hankison-acquitted.html|access-date=March 4, 2022|archive-date=March 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303221857/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/03/us/breonna-taylor-brett-hankison-acquitted.html|url-status=live}}

== Federal investigation ==

File:Louisville, Kentucky Police Officers Charged With Federal Crimes Related To Death Of Breonna Taylor.webm and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke announce federal civil rights charges against four Louisville Metro Police Department officers, 2022-08-04.]]

The FBI began its own independent investigation, announced by its Louisville field office on May 21, 2020.{{Cite news |title=The FBI has opened an investigation into the shooting death of Kentucky EMT Breonna Taylor|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/21/us/breonna-taylor-death-police-changes-trnd/index.html |date=May 21, 2020 |first=Scottie|last=Andrew|publisher=CNN|access-date=May 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530164101/https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/21/us/breonna-taylor-death-police-changes-trnd/index.html|archive-date=May 30, 2020|url-status=live}} After the state grand jury charges were announced, the FBI stated, "FBI Louisville continues its federal investigation into all aspects of the death of Breonna Taylor. This work will continue beyond the state charges announced today."{{cite news|date=September 24, 2020|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/23/fbi-investigation-into-breonna-taylor-case-still-open-after-indictment/5865796002/|newspaper=Louisville Courier Journal|first=Matt|last=Mencarini|title=FBI investigation into Breonna Taylor case continues even after grand jury indicts officer|access-date=October 2, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011435/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/23/fbi-investigation-into-breonna-taylor-case-still-open-after-indictment/5865796002/|url-status=live}}

On August 4, 2022, the Justice Department unsealed charges against three defendants with falsifying a search warrant affidavit and a fourth with two counts of deprivation of civil rights for shooting through Taylor's window and glass door.{{Cite web |title=Justice Department charges 4 Louisville police officers connected to Breonna Taylor killing |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/breonna-taylor-4-louisville-police-officers-charged-justice-department/ |access-date=August 4, 2022 |website=cbsnews.com |date=August 4, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902232322/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/breonna-taylor-4-louisville-police-officers-charged-justice-department/ |url-status=live }} As detailed by the United States Department of Justice, the investigations resulted in two grand jury indictments and one felony information.{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2022 |title=Current and Former Louisville, Kentucky Police Officers Charged with Federal Crimes Related to Death of Breonna Taylor |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/current-and-former-louisville-kentucky-police-officers-charged-federal-crimes-related-death |access-date=August 6, 2022 |website=justice.gov |language=en |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805233141/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/current-and-former-louisville-kentucky-police-officers-charged-federal-crimes-related-death |url-status=live }} U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson dismissed two felony deprivation of civil rights charges on August 22, 2024.

= Photographic and video evidence =

On May 14, 2020, photos were released to the public in The Courier-Journal by Sam Aguiar, an attorney representing Taylor's family. The photos show bullet damage in her apartment and the apartment next door.{{Cite news|last=Duvall|first=Tessa|date=May 14, 2020|title=Newly released photos, audio illustrate deadly moments in police shooting of Breonna Taylor|work=The Courier Journal|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/05/14/breonna-taylor-police-shooting-photos-audio-illustrate-aftermath/5191804002/|access-date=May 14, 2020|archive-date=August 30, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200830192156/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/05/14/breonna-taylor-police-shooting-photos-audio-illustrate-aftermath/5191804002/|url-status=live}}

The Louisville police said that none of the officers was wearing a body camera, as all three were plainclothes narcotics officers. On September 4, several news sources, including The Courier-Journal, reported that photographs of police officers taken late that day showed that at least one wore a body camera. In the later photographs, Myles Cosgrove, one of the officers who had fired his weapon, was visibly wearing a mount for a body camera; another detective who was present wore a body camera, although it is not known whether it was active.{{Cite news|last1=Duvall|first1=Tessa|last2=Costello|first2=Darcy|last3=Kachmar|first3=Kala|date=September 4, 2020|title=Breonna Taylor shooting: 1,200-plus new crime scene photos tell a story of a chaotic night|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/04/breonna-taylor-shooting-crime-scene-photos-show-shell-casings-outside/5710493002/|access-date=September 5, 2020|work=The Courier-Journal|language=en-US|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20201009173309/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/04/breonna-taylor-shooting-crime-scene-photos-show-shell-casings-outside/5710493002/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last1=Ferdman|first1=Roberto|date=September 4, 2020|title=New Photos Show Cop in Deadly Breonna Taylor Raid Wore a Body Camera|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/new-photos-show-at-least-one-cop-in-deadly-breonna-taylor-raid-was-wearing-a-body-camera/|access-date=September 5, 2020|website=Vice|language=en|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011438/https://www.vice.com/en/article/935jqy/new-photos-show-at-least-one-cop-in-deadly-breonna-taylor-raid-was-wearing-a-body-camera |first2=Nicole |last2=Bozorgmir |first3=Juanita |last3=Ceballos |url-status=live}}

Legal proceedings

= Neighbor's lawsuit =

On May 20, 2020, the occupants of a neighboring apartment filed a lawsuit against Hankison, Cosgrove and Mattingly. The occupants were a pregnant woman, her child and a man. The lawsuit alleged that the officers fired blindly into their apartment and nearly hit the man's head, shattered a sliding glass door, and hit objects in three rooms and a hallway.{{Cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809141150/https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/breonna-taylor-neighbor-files-lawuist-lmpd-shooting-blindly/417-238fa091-016a-4d8f-8d36-78916efc840b |access-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |date=June 5, 2020 |first=Bethanni |url-status=live |last=Williams |url=https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/breonna-taylor-neighbor-files-lawuist-lmpd-shooting-blindly/417-238fa091-016a-4d8f-8d36-78916efc840b|title='They sprayed gunfire with total disregard for the value of human life': Breonna Taylor's pregnant neighbor to sue LMPD officers|website=WHAS-TV }}{{cite web |title=Breonna Taylor's pregnant neighbor is suing police officers, saying they 'blindly fired' |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2020/06/04/breonna-taylors-neighbor-sues-louisville-police-after-shooting/3148434001/ |first=Darcy |last=Costello |date=June 4, 2020 |access-date=September 18, 2020 |publisher=CourrierJournal |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200923222630/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2020/06/04/breonna-taylors-neighbor-sues-louisville-police-after-shooting/3148434001/ |url-status=live }}

The attorney for the neighbor filed a motion requesting a change of venue for the lawsuit, arguing that potential jurors in Louisville may have a bias that favors the police, stemming from the hung jury result of the Hankison trial and reporting by media.{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Lawsuit: "Fatigue" over Breonna Taylor case favors police |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/breonna-taylor-ap-brett-hankison-lawsuit-louisville-b2097885.html |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824043046/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/breonna-taylor-ap-brett-hankison-lawsuit-louisville-b2097885.html |url-status=live }} Notably, Hankison's attorney also sought to move the trial to another county, conversely asserting that media coverage would cause bias against the police.{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Minyvonne |date=January 21, 2021 |title=Ex-Louisville officer charged in Breonna Taylor case wants trial venue moved |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ex-louisville-officer-charged-breonna-taylor-case-wants-trial-venue-n1255139 |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}}

= Kenneth Walker =

Walker initially faced criminal charges of first-degree assault and attempted murder of a police officer.{{Cite news|title=Shooting victim Breonna Taylor's lawyer to Louisville police: 'Get your damn story straight'|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2020/05/13/breonna-taylor-lawyer-says-louisville-police-need-to-get-story-straight/5183137002/|last=Duvall|first=Tessa|date=May 13, 2020|website=The Courier-Journal|access-date=May 13, 2020|archive-date=May 19, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200519055002/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2020/05/13/breonna-taylor-lawyer-says-louisville-police-need-to-get-story-straight/5183137002/|url-status=live}} The LMPD officers said they announced themselves before entering the home and were immediately met with gunfire from Walker. According to their statement, Walker discharged his firearm first, injuring an officer. Walker's lawyer said Walker thought that someone was entering the residence illegally and that Walker acted in self-defense. A 9-1-1 call later released to the public provided a recording of Walker telling the 911 operator, "somebody kicked in the door and shot my girlfriend".{{Cite news |title=911 call from Breonna Taylor's shooting death released: "Somebody kicked in the door and shot my girlfriend"|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/breonna-taylor-kenneth-walker-911-call-police-shooting/|last=Albert|first=Victoria|date=May 29, 2020|publisher=CBS News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530012309/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/breonna-taylor-kenneth-walker-911-call-police-shooting/|archive-date=May 30, 2020|access-date=May 30, 2020}}

Walker was later released from jail due to coronavirus concerns, which drew criticism from Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Steve Conrad.

Judge Olu Stevens released Walker from home incarceration on May 22. Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine moved in late May to dismiss all charges against Walker. That meant that the case could be presented to a grand jury again, once the results of the FBI's and the Kentucky Attorney General's Office's investigations had been reviewed. Wine wanted the charges dropped because the officers had never mentioned Taylor by name to the grand jury, nor did they acknowledge that they shot her. Walker's close friends said that his goal was to protect Taylor at any cost.{{Cite news|title=Prosecutor to dismiss charges against Breonna Taylor's boyfriend, wants more investigation|date=May 22, 2020|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2020/05/22/prosecutor-dismisses-charges-against-breonna-taylors-boyfriend-kenneth-walker/5219308002/|last1=Costello|first1=Darcy|last2=Wolfson|first2=Andrew|website=The Courier-Journal|access-date=May 23, 2020|archive-date=May 22, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200522223027/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2020/05/22/prosecutor-dismisses-charges-against-breonna-taylors-boyfriend-kenneth-walker/5219308002/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Ashley|first=Phylica|date=May 22, 2020|title=Kenneth Walker's friends say his goal was to 'protect Breonna at any cost'|work=Wave 3 News|url=https://www.wave3.com/2020/05/22/kenneth-walkers-friends-say-his-goal-was-protect-breonna-any-cost/|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529082525/https://www.wave3.com/2020/05/22/kenneth-walkers-friends-say-his-goal-was-protect-breonna-any-cost/|archive-date=May 29, 2020|url-status=live}} On May 26, 2020, Judge Olu Stevens granted Wine's motion to drop all charges against Walker. Rob Eggert, an attorney representing Walker, released a statement saying, "he just wanted to resume his life." At the same time, his attorney said that Walker could be charged again later as more facts emerged.{{Cite news|date=May 26, 2020|title=Judge grants order to dismiss charges against Kenneth Walker, boyfriend of the late Breonna Taylor|publisher=WDRB|url=https://www.wdrb.com/news/judge-grants-order-to-dismiss-charges-against-kenneth-walker-boyfriend-of-the-late-breonna-taylor/article_1f411080-9f6f-11ea-9939-f32c0d440d10.html|access-date=May 26, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011446/https://www.wdrb.com/news/judge-grants-order-to-dismiss-charges-against-kenneth-walker-boyfriend-of-the-late-breonna-taylor/article_1f411080-9f6f-11ea-9939-f32c0d440d10.html|url-status=live}}

On June 16, Eggert filed a motion to permanently dismiss the indictment charging Walker with attempted murder and assault. The motion asked Stevens to grant Walker immunity because he was within his rights to defend himself and Taylor under Kentucky's stand-your-ground law.{{Cite news|last=Wolfson|first=Andrew|title=Kenneth Walker attorney asks for permanent dismissal of attempted murder, assault charges|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/06/17/breonna-taylors-boyfriend-asks-permanent-dismissal-charges/3206577001/|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=June 18, 2020|website=The Courier-Journal|language=en-US|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011445/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/06/17/breonna-taylors-boyfriend-asks-permanent-dismissal-charges/3206577001/|url-status=live}} On March 8, 2021, Stevens dismissed the criminal charges against Walker with prejudice, meaning he cannot be recharged for the shooting. The judge denied the motion for immunity, saying it was "moot".

In September 2020, Walker filed a suit against the Louisville Metro Police Department, accusing it of misconduct and asserting he did not fire the bullet that injured Mattingly. His lawyer, Steve Romines, stated that Walker fired only one bullet and that the recovered round had no blood on it, demonstrating that it had not hit anyone.{{Cite web|last=Rosenberg|first=Rebecca|date=September 1, 2020|title=Breonna Taylor's boyfriend says he didn't wound cop during shootout|url=https://nypost.com/2020/09/01/breonna-taylors-boyfriend-says-he-didnt-wound-cop-during-shootout/|access-date=October 30, 2020|website=New York Post|language=en-US|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011510/https://nypost.com/2020/09/01/breonna-taylors-boyfriend-says-he-didnt-wound-cop-during-shootout/|url-status=live}} Walker reached a $2 million settlement with the City of Louisville in 2022.{{cite web|first1=Michelle|last1=Watson|first2=Amanda|last2=Musa|title=Breonna Taylor's boyfriend reaches $2 million settlement with City of Louisville|date=December 13, 2022|work=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/13/us/breonna-taylor-boyfriend-louisville-settlement/index.html|access-date=March 16, 2023|archive-date=March 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316095628/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/13/us/breonna-taylor-boyfriend-louisville-settlement/index.html|url-status=live}}

= Taylor's family =

On May 15, Taylor's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Jefferson County Circuit Court on behalf of the estate of Breonna Taylor, against the officers who were present as well as the city of Louisville. It states that Taylor and Walker were sleeping in the bedroom before the incident happened, and that the police officers were in unmarked vehicles. The lawsuit states that Taylor and Walker thought the apartment had been broken into by criminals and that "they were in significant, imminent danger." The lawsuit alleges that "the officers then entered Breonna's home without knocking and without announcing themselves as police officers. The Defendants then proceeded to spray gunfire into the residence with a total disregard for the value of human life."{{Cite news|last=Brito|first=Christopher|date=May 15, 2020|title=Family sues after 26-year-old EMT is shot and killed by police in her own home|publisher=CBS News|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/breonna-taylor-black-women-killed-asleep-louisville-police-family-sues/|url-status=live|access-date=May 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515003416/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/breonna-taylor-black-women-killed-asleep-louisville-police-family-sues/|archive-date=May 15, 2020}}

The lawsuit was resolved in mid-September 2020. The Louisville Metro Government (LMG) agreed to pay Taylor's estate $12 million, "one of the highest settlement amounts ever paid in America for the wrongful death of a black woman by police", according to family attorney Benjamin Crump. The officers and the LMG admitted no liability nor wrongdoing and were absolved of any medical expenses related to Taylor's death; the settlement also prevents Taylor's family from suing the city.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/20/how-louisvilles-12-million-breonna-taylor-settlement-came-together/3483164001/|title=The inside story of how Louisville's $12 million Breonna Taylor settlement came together|website=The Courier-Journal|first1=Tessa|last1=Duvall|first2=Darcy|last2=Costello|date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201009150321/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/09/20/how-louisvilles-12-million-breonna-taylor-settlement-came-together/3483164001/|archive-date=October 9, 2020|access-date=October 4, 2020|url-status=live}}; {{Cite web |url=https://interactive.whas11.com/pdfs/executed_settlement_agreement_1.pdf |title=Release and Settlement Agreement |access-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919012437/https://interactive.whas11.com/pdfs/executed_settlement_agreement_1.pdf |url-status=live}} The city agreed to initiate a housing credits program for police officers to live in the Louisville Metro area, considered by some a fundamental community policing measure, to institute policing changes such as requiring more oversight by top commanders, and to make mandatory safeguards that were only "common practice" before the raid.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/15/us/breonna-taylor-settlement-louisville.html|title=Breonna Taylor's Family to Receive $12 Million Settlement From City of Louisville|first=Rukmini|last=Callimachi|date=September 24, 2020|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=October 19, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011310/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/15/us/breonna-taylor-settlement-louisville.html|url-status=live}}

= Jonathan Mattingly =

Mattingly was one of three officers who took part in the raid that killed Taylor, and the officer allegedly wounded by Walker. In October 2020, Mattingly's lawyer announced that he was filing a countersuit against Walker for his injury.{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=Joshua Rhett|date=October 30, 2020|title=Louisville cop shot during Breonna Taylor raid files suit against her boyfriend|url=https://nypost.com/2020/10/30/cop-shot-in-breonna-taylor-raid-files-suit-against-her-boyfriend/|access-date=October 30, 2020|website=New York Post|language=en-US|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011511/https://nypost.com/2020/10/30/cop-shot-in-breonna-taylor-raid-files-suit-against-her-boyfriend/|url-status=live}} He alleged that the gunshot wound caused severe damage and that Mattingly was "entitled to, and should, use the legal process to seek a remedy for the injury that Walker caused."{{Cite news|date=October 30, 2020|title=Breonna Taylor: Police officer sues shot black woman's boyfriend|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54752228|access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011454/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54752228|url-status=live}} The lawsuit details that Mattingly underwent five hours of surgery because the shot severed his femoral artery, and alleges battery, assault and emotional distress. The suit also claims that Walker's response to the officers raid via a no-knock warrant was "outrageous, intolerable and offends all accepted standards of decency or morality". The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed on May 19, 2023.{{Cite web|last=Roldan|first=Roberto|date=May 23, 2023|title=Officer shot during Breonna Taylor raid drops lawsuit against her boyfriend|language=en|work=Louisville Public Media|url=https://www.lpm.org/news/2023-05-23/officer-shot-during-breonna-taylor-raid-drops-lawsuit-against-her-boyfriend|access-date=May 9, 2024|archive-date=August 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824201932/https://www.lpm.org/news/2023-05-23/officer-shot-during-breonna-taylor-raid-drops-lawsuit-against-her-boyfriend|url-status=live}}

= Department of Justice charges =

On August 4, 2022, the United States Department of Justice announced that it had indicted three police officers—Kelly Goodlett, Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany—on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and civil rights violations for conspiring to mislead the judge who approved the search warrant on Kenneth Walker's house. The prosecutors alleged that Jaynes and Meany submitted a falsified affidavit to search Taylor’s home ahead of the raid, then worked together to create a "false cover story in an attempt to escape responsibility for their roles in preparing the warrant affidavit that contained false information".{{Cite web |last1=Afshar |first1=Paradise |last2=Faced |first2=Dalia |date=August 23, 2024 |title=Felony charges dismissed against 2 former Louisville officers charged in the Breonna Taylor raid |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/23/us/federal-judge-dismisses-felony-charges-louisville-officers-breonna-taylor-raid/index.html |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824201931/https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/23/us/federal-judge-dismisses-felony-charges-louisville-officers-breonna-taylor-raid/index.html |url-status=live }} Jaynes and Meany pled not guilty to the charges on the same day. Detective Brett Hankison, one of the officers who participated in the raid, was also charged with civil rights violations.{{Cite news |last=Mehta |first=Amar |title=Former detective pleads guilty to Breonna Taylor shooting cover-up |url=https://news.sky.com/story/former-louisville-detective-pleads-guilty-to-breonna-taylor-shooting-cover-up-12680060 |url-status=live |access-date=August 23, 2024 |work=Sky News |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824034542/https://news.sky.com/story/former-louisville-detective-pleads-guilty-to-breonna-taylor-shooting-cover-up-12680060 }} On August 23, 2022, Goodlett pleaded guilty to the charges.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/23/kelly-goodlett-breonna-taylor-guilty-plea-civil-rights-police|title=Former detective pleads guilty to civil rights violations in Breonna Taylor case|work=The Guardian|access-date=August 24, 2022|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824094048/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/23/kelly-goodlett-breonna-taylor-guilty-plea-civil-rights-police|url-status=live}} She is expected to testify against the other three accused officers at their upcoming trials.

Hankison's trial commenced on October 30, 2023; he pleaded not guilty.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67262791|title=Federal trial of ex-officer in Breonna Taylor case begins|date=October 30, 2023|website=BBC News|first=Bernd|last=Debusmann|access-date=October 30, 2023|archive-date=October 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030160912/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67262791|url-status=live}} The trial lasted for three weeks and testimony was heard from "around two dozen" witnesses.{{cite web|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/crime/2023/11/16/ex-louisville-cop-brett-hankisons-federal-trial-ends-in-mistrial/71608553007/|website=USA Today|last=Smith|first=Rachel|title=Brett Hankison's trial ends in hung jury: What that means and what's next|access-date=November 27, 2023|archive-date=January 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128071252/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/crime/2023/11/16/ex-louisville-cop-brett-hankisons-federal-trial-ends-in-mistrial/71608553007/|url-status=live}} After deliberating for three days, the jury was unable to reach a verdict, and Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings declared a mistrial on November 16. It was reported that federal prosecutors planned to retry him.{{cite web|url=https://www.wave3.com/2023/11/16/watch-live-mistrial-declared-brett-hankison-federal-civil-rights-case/|title=Mistrial declared in Brett Hankison civil rights case|date=November 16, 2023|website=WAVE|first1=Mark|last1=Stevens|first2=Noelle|last2=Friel|access-date=November 17, 2023|archive-date=November 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116230238/https://www.wave3.com/2023/11/16/watch-live-mistrial-declared-brett-hankison-federal-civil-rights-case/|url-status=live}} The charges against Hankison were refiled in December and the court initially scheduled his new trial to begin on October 14, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/brett-hankison-ex-officer-deadly-breonna-taylor-raid-will-face-retrial-rcna129564|title=Ex-officer in deadly Breonna Taylor raid will face retrial on federal civil rights charges|date=December 13, 2023|author=Minyvonne Burke|website=NBC News|access-date=December 31, 2023|archive-date=December 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231154851/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/brett-hankison-ex-officer-deadly-breonna-taylor-raid-will-face-retrial-rcna129564|url-status=live}}

On August 22, 2024, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Simpson dismissed two felony charges against Jaynes and Meany, for using a dangerous weapon to deprive Taylor of her Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable search. Judge Simpson struck the use-of-a-dangerous-weapon language, reducing the charge to a misdemeanor punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment for up to a year. The ruling declared that Walker's actions were the legal cause of her death, not a falsified warrant, as federal prosecutors had alleged. Judge Simpson refused to dismiss the remaining charges.{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2024 |title=Judge rules Breonna Taylor's boyfriend caused her death, throws out major charges against ex-Louisville officers |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/breonna-taylor-kenneth-walker-judge-dismisses-officer-charges/ |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824021706/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/breonna-taylor-kenneth-walker-judge-dismisses-officer-charges/ |url-status=live }}

Hankison's retrial began on October 15, 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2024/10/14/former-lmpd-detective-brett-hankisons-federal-retrial-to-start-tuesday/75472185007/|title=Former LMPD detective Brett Hankison's federal retrial starts Tuesday. Here's what to know|first=Killian|last=Baarlaer|publisher=Louisville Courier Journal|date=October 14, 2024|accessdate=October 14, 2024}} The jury for this trial was sworn in on October 18, 2024, and opening statements and testimony began October 21, 2024.{{cite news|url=https://www.wlky.com/article/jury-sworn-in-federal-retrial-brett-hankison-breonna-taylor/62651738|title=Jury sworn in for federal retrial of former LMPD Officer Brett Hankison|publisher=WLKY|date=October 18, 2024|accessdate=October 20, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wave3.com/2024/10/21/testimony-begins-brett-hankinsons-new-federal-trial/|title=Testimony begins in Brett Hankinson's new federal trial|first=David|last=Mattingly|publisher=WAVE|date=October 21, 2024|accessdate=October 21, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/crime/2024/10/21/former-louisville-cop-brett-hanksion-now-in-federal-trial-in-breonna-taylor-case-what-verdict/75576850007/|title=Brett Hankison's federal retrial has begun. What each side said in their opening arguments|first=Rachel|last=Smith|publisher=Louisville Courier Journal|date=October 21, 2024|accessdate=October 22, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wave3.com/2024/10/18/testimony-begins-monday-brett-hankison-retrial/|title=Testimony begins Monday in Brett Hankison retrial|first=Mart|last=Stevens|publisher=WAVE|date=October 18, 2024|accessdate=October 20, 2024}}

On November 1, 2024, the federal jury found Hankison guilty of depriving Taylor of her rights, but not guilty of depriving three of Taylor's neighbors' of theirs. His sentencing was initially set for March 12, 2025.{{cite news|url=https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/former-louisville-kentucky-metro-police-officer-found-guilty-federal-civil-rights-crimes|title=Former Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Police Officer Found Guilty of Federal Civil Rights Crimes Related to the Breonna Taylor Case|publisher=U.S. Department of Justice|date=November 1, 2024|accessdate=March 5, 2025}} On February 20, 2025, a federal judge would deny Hankison a motion to throw out the conviction.{{cite news|url=https://www.wdrb.com/in-depth/judge-denies-request-by-brett-hankison-to-throw-out-conviction-in-breonna-taylor-case/article_3e3b4636-efab-11ef-9083-53b3d3c19f6f.html|title=Judge denies request by Brett Hankison to throw out conviction in Breonna Taylor case|first=Jason|last=Riley|publisher=WDRB|date=February 20, 2025|accessdate=February 20, 2025}} During this time, it was reported that he now was scheduled to be sentenced on April 8, 2025.{{cite news|url=https://www.whas11.com/article/news/investigations/breonna-taylor-case/judge-denies-brett-hankison-motion-acquittal-breonna-taylor-shooting-louisville-kentucky/417-957c7167-86a2-496f-a4a6-be2a085d8040|title=Federal judge denies Brett Hankison's motion for acquittal|first=Margaret|last=Vancampen|publisher=WHAS11|date=February 20, 2025|accessdate=February 20, 2025}}

Policy and administrative changes

= Police department =

On May 21, 2020, Police Chief Steve Conrad announced his retirement after intense local and national criticism for the department's handling of the case, to be effective June 30.{{Cite news|date=May 21, 2020|last1=Costello|first1=Darcy|last2=Wolfson|first2=Andrew|title=Louisville Police Chief Steve Conrad announces retirement in wake of Breonna Taylor shooting|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/05/21/breonna-taylor-death-lmpdchief-steve-conrad-retire-june/5228427002/|access-date=May 23, 2020|website=The Courier-Journal|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011454/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/05/21/breonna-taylor-death-lmpdchief-steve-conrad-retire-june/5228427002/|url-status=live}} Conrad was fired on June 1, 2020, after it was learned that two police officers who fatally shot black business owner David McAtee had failed to activate their body cameras, despite city policy.{{Cite news | last=Martinez | first=Peter | title=Louisville police chief fired after fatal shooting of black business owner | publisher=CBS News | date=June 1, 2020 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steve-conrad-louisville-police-chief-fired-protest-shooting-death/ | access-date=June 5, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604233954/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steve-conrad-louisville-police-chief-fired-protest-shooting-death/ | archive-date=June 4, 2020 | url-status=live }}

The LMPD had announced in May 2020 that it would require all sworn officers to wear body cameras, and will change how it carries out search warrants.

On January 5, 2021, the LMPD fired Cosgrove, who shot and killed Taylor, and Jaynes, who obtained the warrant for the raid.{{cite news|first=Dylan|last=Lovan|title=2 detectives involved in Breonna Taylor raid are fired|date=January 6, 2021|publisher=The Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-cops-fired-910c87438ebc09e74eac8a4f4678fb63|access-date=January 6, 2021|archive-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106171148/https://apnews.com/article/breonna-taylor-cops-fired-910c87438ebc09e74eac8a4f4678fb63|url-status=live}} Cosgrove appealed the firing, but the LMPD Merit Board ruled against him. In April 2023, Cosgrove started work as a deputy in the Carroll County's Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Ryan Gosser defended the hiring, stating that Cosgrove faced no legal consequences such as an indictment for the killing of Taylor, and also said that Cosgrove's experience would benefit the agency.{{cite news |title=Ex-LMPD detective in Breonna Taylor case hired as deputy in Carroll County |url=https://www.wave3.com/2023/04/22/ex-lmpd-detective-breonna-taylor-case-hired-deputy-carroll-county/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |publisher=WAVE3 |date=April 23, 2023 |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422222930/https://www.wave3.com/2023/04/22/ex-lmpd-detective-breonna-taylor-case-hired-deputy-carroll-county/ |url-status=live }}

On August 4, 2022, federal officials charged four current and former police officers, one of whom had participated in the raid on Taylor’s apartment and three others who were instrumental in obtaining the search warrant. The Justice Department noted that none of the officers who participated in the raid knew that the warrant was based on false claims.{{cite news |last1=Bogel-Burroughs |first1=Nicholas |title=Federal Officials Charge Four Officers in Breonna Taylor Raid |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/04/us/breonna-taylor-officers-charged.html |access-date=August 4, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=August 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804154509/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/04/us/breonna-taylor-officers-charged.html |archive-date=August 4, 2022}}

On February 20, 2025, the Kentucky Supreme Court declined to review a motion challenging Myles Cosgrove's termination from the Louisville Metro Police Department.{{cite news|url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/lexington/news/2025/02/20/supreme-court-upholds-myles-cosgrove-termination|title=Kentucky Supreme Court not reviewing Myles Cosgrove's termination|publisher=Spectrum News 1|date=February 20, 2025|accessdate=March 5, 2025}} In their ruling, the Kentucky Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling which was made on May 19, 2024 in favor of the termination.{{cite news|url=https://www.wdrb.com/news/ky-supreme-court-refuses-to-review-termination-of-detective-who-fired-fatal-breonna-taylor-shot/article_f4affd08-efb0-11ef-9434-6385cba87e86.html|title=Ky. Supreme Court refuses to review termination of detective who fired fatal Breonna Taylor shot|first=Jason|last=Riley|publisher=WDRB|date=February 20, 2025|accessdate=March 5, 2025}}

= Legislative changes{{Anchor|Legislative proposals}} =

In June 2020, Democrats in Congress introduced the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, a broad bill containing measures to combat misconduct, excessive force, and racial bias in policing.{{Cite news|title=In Wake Of Protests, Democrats To Unveil Police Reform Legislation|author1=Claudia Grisales|author2=Susan Davis|author3=Kelsey Snell|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/06/08/871625856/in-wake-of-protests-democrats-to-unveil-police-reform-legislation|date=June 8, 2020|publisher=NPR|access-date=June 8, 2020|archive-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625014126/https://www.npr.org/2020/06/08/871625856/in-wake-of-protests-democrats-to-unveil-police-reform-legislation|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Fandos|first=Nicholas|date=June 6, 2020|title=Democrats to Propose Broad Bill to Target Police Misconduct and Racial Bias|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/06/us/politics/democrats-police-misconduct-racial-bias.html|access-date=June 8, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627003020/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/06/us/politics/democrats-police-misconduct-racial-bias.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news |first1=Leigh Ann |last1=Caldwell |first2=Rebecca |last2=Shabad |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/pelosi-top-democrats-unveil-police-reform-bill-n1227376 |title=Congressional Democrats unveil sweeping police reform bill that would ban chokeholds, no-knock warrants in drug cases |publisher=NBC News |date=June 8, 2020 |access-date=June 8, 2020 |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621201920/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/pelosi-top-democrats-unveil-police-reform-bill-n1227376 |url-status=live }} The bill would prohibit the issuance of no-knock warrants in federal drug investigations and provide incentives to states to enact a similar prohibition.

The same month, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act, which would prohibit federal law enforcement from carrying out a warrant "until after the officer provides notice of his or her authority and purpose". It would also apply to state and local law enforcement that receive funding from the Justice Department.{{cite news |last1=Vella |first1=Lauren |title=Rand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/502392-rand-paul-introduces-bill-to-end-no-knock-warrants |website=The Hill |date=June 11, 2020 |access-date=June 11, 2020 |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614092757/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/502392-rand-paul-introduces-bill-to-end-no-knock-warrants |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|last=Paul|first=Rand|date=June 11, 2020|title=S. 3955–116th Congress (2019–2020): Justice for Breonna Taylor Act|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3955|access-date=September 9, 2020|website=congress.gov|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011517/https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3955|url-status=live}}

On June 11, 2020, the Louisville Metro Council voted unanimously to ban no-knock search warrants. With the passage of "Breonna's Law", all officers who serve warrants are required to wear body cameras, and to have them turned on from at least five minutes before the warrant is served until at least five minutes afterward.{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Martin |title=Louisville passes 'Breonna's Law' banning no-knock warrants |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/502391-louisville-passes-breonnas-law-banning-no-knock-warrants |website=The Hill |date=June 11, 2020 |access-date=June 11, 2020 |archive-date=June 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614103815/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/502391-louisville-passes-breonnas-law-banning-no-knock-warrants |url-status=live }}

On April 9, 2021, Governor Andy Beshear signed the bipartisan Senate Bill 4 into law, which partially bans no-knock warrants. Members of the Taylor family stood behind Beshear during the signing at the Kentucky Centre for African American Heritage.{{Cite news |last=Jordan |first=Mike |date=April 9, 2021 |title=Kentucky partially bans no-knock warrants after Breonna Taylor killing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/09/kentucky-no-knock-warrants-partial-ban-breonna-taylor |access-date=August 24, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824201853/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/09/kentucky-no-knock-warrants-partial-ban-breonna-taylor |url-status=live }}

Reactions

File:Breonna Taylor Memorial Louisville Kentucky.jpg

File:Killing of Patrick Lyoya protest 16 April 2022 - 4 "Breonna Taylor Way".jpg in Taylor's birthplace of Grand Rapids, Michigan]]

As the shooting occurred during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, at the beginning of an escalating nationwide wave of quarantines and lockdowns, for weeks after Taylor's death there was very little public reaction, little response from government officials,{{Cite news |title=Breonna Taylor shooting: hunt for answers in case of black woman killed by police|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/14/breonna-taylor-louisville-police-shooting-kentucky|last=Wood|first=Josh|date=May 14, 2020|website=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514205341/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/14/breonna-taylor-louisville-police-shooting-kentucky|archive-date=May 14, 2020|access-date=May 15, 2020}} and the LMPD did not provide many details about the shooting or answers to questions about the case.{{Cite news|date=June 5, 2020|title=Who was Breonna Taylor? What to know about the Louisville EMT shot and killed by police|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2020/05/12/breonna-taylor-case-what-know-louisville-emt-killed-cops/3110066001/|last1=Costello|first1=Darcy|last2=Duvall|first2=Tessa|website=The Courier-Journal|access-date=May 15, 2020|archive-date=March 18, 2021|archive-url=http://wayback.vefsafn.is/wayback/20210318172232/https://eu.courier%2Djournal.com/story/news/local/2020/05/12/breonna%2Dtaylor%2Dcase%2Dwhat%2Dknow%2Dlouisville%2Demt%2Dkilled%2Dcops/3110066001/|url-status=live}}

= Individuals involved =

In September 2020, Mattingly sent a personal email to several hundred of his police colleagues wherein he blamed the city's mayor and police chief for failing "all of us in epic proportions for their own gain and to cover their asses",{{Cite news|date=October 21, 2020|title=Breonna Taylor: Officer in shooting says it "was not a race thing"|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54634793|access-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021190626/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54634793|archive-date=October 21, 2020|url-status=live}} faulted senior staff and the FBI for being unwilling "to hold the line", and urged his colleagues, "Do what you need to do to go home {{Sic|you}} your family."{{Cite news |date=September 22, 2020 |title=Wounded officer in Breonna Taylor shooting: 'I know we did the legal, moral and ethical thing' |work=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wounded-officer-breonna-taylor-shooting-i-know-we-did-legal-n1240732|access-date=October 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014015954/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wounded-officer-breonna-taylor-shooting-i-know-we-did-legal-n1240732 |first=Janelle |last=Griffith |archive-date=October 14, 2020|url-status=live}} Mattingly gave an interview in October 2020 to ABC News and The Louisville Courier Journal in which he reiterated his accusations that city officials had not come to his and the other officers' defense in the incident's aftermath. In the interview he highlighted the tragedy of the shooting but claimed that it was unlike the murder of George Floyd, saying, "This is not us going, hunting somebody down. This is not kneeling on a neck. It's nothing like that. [...] She didn't deserve to die. She didn't do anything to deserve a death sentence." He admitted he "probably said some things" that he "probably shouldn't have said", but said he didn't regret sending the mass email.

Two years after Taylor's death, a book by Mattingly was released in which he said of Glover, "They had a tracker on his car, ping on his phone, they knew where he was", and that awareness of Glover's location changed the "no-knock warrant" for Taylor's home into a "knock warrant."[https://www.whas11.com/article/news/investigations/breonna-taylor-case/john-mattingly-breonna-taylor-interview-lmpd-kenneth-walker-regrets-email/417-1c97444c-18ba-4d3b-ba0f-abdbae031fc7 Retired LMPD Sergeant John Mattingly asks community for forgiveness, opens up about night Breonna Taylor was killed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810050339/https://www.whas11.com/article/news/investigations/breonna-taylor-case/john-mattingly-breonna-taylor-interview-lmpd-kenneth-walker-regrets-email/417-1c97444c-18ba-4d3b-ba0f-abdbae031fc7 |date=August 10, 2022 }}, WHAS-TV, Heather Fountaine, March 17, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022. He blamed Walker for Taylor's death, saying, "Any man that's worth his salt, if you really thought you were getting broken into, why would [you] take your girlfriend in the hall with you? Not only that, you leave her hanging, you dive out of the way and she's stuck. And then, after that, you tell police she's the one who shot the police. It just doesn't get any more cowardice [sic] than that to me." "Looking back, would I say, every drug warrant of that time, would I do it differently? I would've done it different knowing what I know now, but it doesn't mean it was wrong or something out of the ordinary because it happens all the time." "Obviously we didn't have that intel. We didn't know Kenneth Walker was there. We were never told her sister and the baby lived there... so there were some failures on that part of it that could've been better."

In January 2022, The Courier-Journal reported that Mary Shaw, who was reelected unopposed in 2016, was the only one of seventeen incumbent Jefferson County Circuit Court judges to draw an election opponent. Shaw, garnering 35.1% of the votes cast, advanced to the November election, along with Tracy Evette Davis, with 35.0% of the votes. Davis, a private attorney who provided defense counsel for indicted Breonna Taylor protestors,{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Alex |date=May 18, 2022 |title=Eighteen Jefferson County candidates for judge advance to November election |url=https://wfpl.org/eighteen-jefferson-county-candidates-for-judge-advance-to-the-general-elections/ |access-date=August 24, 2022 |website=89.3 WFPL News Louisville |language=en-US |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702233943/https://wfpl.org/eighteen-jefferson-county-candidates-for-judge-advance-to-the-general-elections/ |url-status=live }} was endorsed by Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor's mother.{{Cite web |last=Polus |first=Sarah |date=November 10, 2022 |title=Judge who signed Breonna Taylor warrant loses reelection, blames 'false narratives' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/3728528-judge-who-signed-breonna-taylor-warrant-loses-reelection-blames-false-narratives/ |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=The Hill |language=en-US |archive-date=November 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110220448/https://thehill.com/homenews/3728528-judge-who-signed-breonna-taylor-warrant-loses-reelection-blames-false-narratives/ |url-status=live }} In November 2022, Shaw narrowly lost her reelection bid to Davis, and announced she was retiring after sixteen years as a judge. Shaw told the Courier-Journal, "I was disappointed by the results, but not surprised as there are so many false narratives surrounding the signing of the warrant which have circulated."{{Cite web |title=Judge who signed the warrant to search Breonna Taylor's apartment loses reelection bid |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2022/11/09/kentucky-judge-mary-shaw-loses-reelection-to-tracy-evette-davis/69633806007/ |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US |archive-date=January 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128071304/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2022/11/09/kentucky-judge-mary-shaw-loses-reelection-to-tracy-evette-davis/69633806007/ |url-status=live }}

= Politicians and public officials =

On May 13, 2020, Kentucky governor Andy Beshear responded to reports about Taylor's death and said the public deserved to know everything about the March raid. He requested that Attorney General Cameron and local and federal prosecutors review the Louisville police's initial investigation "to ensure justice is done at a time when many are concerned that justice is not blind".{{Cite news|last=Bogel-Burroughs|first=Nicholas|date=May 14, 2020|title=Months After Louisville Police Kill Woman in Her Home, Governor Calls for Review|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/14/us/breonna-taylor-louisville-shooting.html|access-date=May 15, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515003007/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/14/us/breonna-taylor-louisville-shooting.html|archive-date=May 15, 2020|url-status=live}}

On May 14, 2020, Louisville mayor Greg Fischer and LMPD Chief Steve Conrad announced they had asked the FBI and the United States Attorney to review the local findings of the Public Integrity Unit's investigation when it is completed.{{Cite news |title=Fischer, LMPD chief call for federal review of Breonna Taylor case|url=https://www.wave3.com/2020/05/14/fischer-lmpd-chief-call-federal-review-breonna-taylor-case/|last=Wise|first=John P.|date=May 14, 2020|website=Wave 3 News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520173137/https://www.wave3.com/2020/05/14/fischer-lmpd-chief-call-federal-review-breonna-taylor-case/|archive-date=May 20, 2020|access-date=May 15, 2020}}

= Protests =

Four weeks after Taylor's death, her family, members of the community, and protesters around the world requested that officers involved be fired and criminally charged.{{Cite news |first1=Ray |last1=Sanchez |first2=Elizabeth |last2=Joseph |date=June 19, 2020 |title=Louisville, Kentucky, seeks to fire police officer in shooting of Breonna Taylor |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/19/us/breonna-taylor-shooting-officer-firing/index.html |access-date=June 19, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011459/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/19/us/breonna-taylor-shooting-officer-firing/index.html |url-status=live }} Many, including Taylor's family and friends, protested outside Mayor Fisher's office.{{Cite news|last1=Ratterman|first1=Lexie|last2=Shanahan|first2=Kristen|date=May 26, 2020|title=Protesters demand Mayor Fischer fire LMPD officers who shot, killed Breonna Taylor|publisher=WDRB|url=https://www.wdrb.com/news/protesters-demand-mayor-fischer-fire-lmpd-officers-who-shot-killed-breonna-taylor/article_fc730d3a-9f6c-11ea-9fc9-9f0aaf367e10.html|access-date=May 27, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011501/https://www.wdrb.com/news/protesters-demand-mayor-fischer-fire-lmpd-officers-who-shot-killed-breonna-taylor/article_fc730d3a-9f6c-11ea-9fc9-9f0aaf367e10.html|url-status=live}}

= Celebrities and public figures =

Commentators such as Arwa Mahdawi and Brittney Cooper suggested Taylor's killing would likely not have received so much attention if not for the George Floyd protests, as black women are often neglected. Mahdawi related this to the #SayHerName campaign and Malcolm X's statement "The most disrespected person in America is the black woman" and called for further protest until justice for Taylor is secured.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/06/we-must-keep-fighting-justice-breonna-taylor-say-her-name|title=We must keep fighting for justice for Breonna Taylor. We must keep saying her name|work=The Guardian|date=June 6, 2020|last=Mahdawi|first=Arwa|access-date=June 11, 2020|archive-date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620195732/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/06/we-must-keep-fighting-justice-breonna-taylor-say-her-name|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |url = https://time.com/5847970/police-brutality-black-women-girls/ |title = Why Are Black Women and Girls Still an Afterthought in Our Outrage Over Police Violence? |magazine = Time |date = June 4, 2020 |last = Cooper |first = Brittney |author-link = Brittney Cooper |access-date = June 11, 2020 |archive-date = June 24, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200624094234/https://time.com/5847970/police-brutality-black-women-girls/ |url-status = live }}

"Arrest the cops that killed Breonna Taylor" has become a common Internet meme. It has been criticized for trivializing the incident by being akin to the meme "Epstein didn't kill himself".{{Cite web|last=Haasch|first=Palmer|title=Calls to 'arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor' have been turned into an online meme that some say has gone too far|url=https://www.insider.com/arrest-the-cops-who-killed-breonna-taylor-memes-stop-2020-6|date=June 26, 2020|access-date=July 3, 2020|website=Insider|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011521/https://www.insider.com/arrest-the-cops-who-killed-breonna-taylor-memes-stop-2020-6|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Blay|first=Zeba|date=July 2, 2020|title=The Memeification Of Breonna Taylor's Death|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/memes-breonna-taylor-arrest-the-cops_n_5efcf975c5b6acab284a93aa|access-date=July 3, 2020|website=HuffPost|language=en|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011503/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/memes-breonna-taylor-arrest-the-cops_n_5efcf975c5b6acab284a93aa|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=A new genre of protest meme has Breonna Taylor's name trending. But is it appropriate?|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/twitter-memeified-justice-breonna-taylor-can-joke-make-change-n1231443|date=June 19, 2020|first=Kalhan|last=Rosenblatt|access-date=July 3, 2020|publisher=NBC News|language=en|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011553/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/twitter-memeified-justice-breonna-taylor-can-joke-make-change-n1231443|url-status=live}} In late July 2020, American record producer J. W. Lucas, who is white, made controversial statements on Twitter that seemed to justify the shooting of Taylor, which received extremely negative reactions, including from activist Tamika Mallory, with whom he later had a heated exchange on Instagram Live.{{Cite web |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jw-lucas-a-white-hip-hop-producer-dragged-over-breonna-taylor-tweets-news.115224.html |first=Erika |last=Marie |date=July 30, 2020 |title=JW Lucas, A White Hip Hop Producer, Dragged Over Breonna Taylor Tweets |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011516/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jw-lucas-a-white-hip-hop-producer-dragged-over-breonna-taylor-tweets-news.115224.html |url-status=live }} Rapper Jack Harlow, whose single "Whats Poppin" Lucas produced, publicly denounced Lucas, saying that he did not know who Lucas was and was not aware of his involvement in the song.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sohh.com/jack-harlow-distances-himself-from-jw-lucas-after-disgusting-breonna-taylor-tweets-never-met-or-spoken/|title=Jack Harlow Distances Himself From JW Lucas After Disgusting + Racist Breonna Taylor Tweets: "Never Met Or Spoken"|first=Biz|last=Jones|date=July 31, 2020|website=sohh.com|access-date=July 31, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011517/https://www.sohh.com/jack-harlow-distances-himself-from-jw-lucas-after-disgusting-breonna-taylor-tweets-never-met-or-spoken/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://urbanislandz.com/2020/07/30/hip-hop-producer-jw-lucas-dragged-on-twitter-over-breonna-taylor-tweets/ |first=Sasha |last=Lee |title=Hip Hop Producer JW Lucas Dragged On Twitter Over Breonna Taylor Tweets |date=July 31, 2020 |website=Urban Islandz |access-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011541/https://urbanislandz.com/2020/07/30/hip-hop-producer-jw-lucas-dragged-on-twitter-over-breonna-taylor-tweets/ |url-status=live }}

The September 2020 edition of O magazine featured Taylor on the cover instead of the usual image of Oprah Winfrey as a way to honor "her life and the life of every other black woman whose life has been taken too soon".{{Cite web |first=Marianne |last=Garvey |title=Oprah Winfrey wants to be marching in honor of Breonna Taylor |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/31/entertainment/oprah-winfrey-breonna-taylor/index.html |date=July 31, 2020 |access-date=August 2, 2020 |website=CNN |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011517/https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/31/entertainment/oprah-winfrey-breonna-taylor/index.html |url-status=live }} It was the first issue in the magazine's 20-year history that did not have Winfrey's image on its cover. Until Freedom and O magazine put up 26 billboards—one for every year of Taylor's life—around Louisville.{{Cite web|last=Austin|first=Emma|title=Breonna Taylor's Oprah Winfrey Magazine cover going up on billboards around Louisville|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/08/07/oprah-winfrey-placing-breonna-taylor-billboards-around-louisville/3316770001/|date=August 7, 2020|access-date=August 11, 2020|website=The Courier-Journal|language=en-US|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20200807165026/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/08/07/oprah-winfrey-placing-breonna-taylor-billboards-around-louisville/3316770001/|url-status=live}} Winfrey released a video five months after Taylor's death calling for the arrest of the officers involved.{{Cite web|last=Tobin|first=Ben|title=150 days after Breonna Taylor's death, Oprah Winfrey releases video demanding justice|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/08/10/oprah-winfrey-releases-video-150-days-after-breonna-taylors-death/3341334001/|date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 11, 2020|website=The Courier-Journal|language=en-US|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011550/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/breonna-taylor/2020/08/10/oprah-winfrey-releases-video-150-days-after-breonna-taylors-death/3341334001/|url-status=live}}

On July 15, 2020, television personality and granddaughter of activist Hosea Williams, Porsha Williams, was among 87 protesters who were arrested outside the home of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. After law enforcement warned that staying on Cameron's property was unlawful, Williams and others in the group were charged with intimidating a participant in a legal process, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass. She was released the next day. She was arrested again, alongside Yandy Smith Harris during a peaceful protest for the same cause for obstructing a highway and disorderly conduct in the second degree.

Professional sports teams and individual athletes have honored Taylor and called for the end of racial injustice. Before the 2019–20 NBA season restarted, the Memphis Grizzlies wore shirts with Taylor's name and "#SayHerName" as they arrived at the arena.{{Cite web|last=Barnes|first=Evan|title=Grizzlies kneel during national anthem, call for justice for Breonna Taylor|url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2020/07/31/memphis-grizzlies-portland-trail-blazers-kneel-during-national-anthem/5516556002/|date=July 31, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2020|website=The Commercial Appeal|language=en-US|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011525/https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2020/07/31/memphis-grizzlies-portland-trail-blazers-kneel-during-national-anthem/5516556002/|url-status=live}} At the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton wore a T-shirt on the podium with the words "Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor." The governing body, the FIA, considered investigating Hamilton for violating the protocols for political messaging, but decided no investigation was necessary.{{cite web|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=September 14, 2020|title=FIA looking into Hamilton's anti-racism T-shirt at Mugello|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hamilton-breonna-taylor-shirt-fia-mugello/4875139/|access-date=September 15, 2020|publisher=Motorsport.com|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011556/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/hamilton-breonna-taylor-shirt-fia-mugello/4875139/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Andrew|first1=Benson|date=September 15, 2020|title=Lewis Hamilton 'won't let up' after FIA rule out investigation into T-shirt|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/54161846|access-date=September 15, 2020|website=BBC|archive-date=September 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915100554/https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/54161846|url-status=live}}

The September 2020 edition of Vanity Fair featured a painting of Taylor by Amy Sherald on the cover. The issue included an interview with Taylor's mother by author Ta-Nehisi Coates.{{Cite magazine|last=Coates|first=Ta-Nehisi|title=The Life Breonna Taylor Lived, in the Words of Her Mother|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2020/08/breonna-taylor|date=August 24, 2020|access-date=August 28, 2020|magazine=Vanity Fair|language=en-us|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011540/https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2020/08/breonna-taylor|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|last=Pope|first=Miles|title=Amy Sherald on Making Breonna Taylor's Portrait|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2020/08/amy-sherald-on-making-breonna-taylors-cover-portrait|date=August 24, 2020|access-date=August 28, 2020|magazine=Vanity Fair|language=en-us|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011527/https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2020/08/amy-sherald-on-making-breonna-taylors-cover-portrait|url-status=live}} In September 2020, George Clooney issued a statement in which he said that he was "ashamed" by the decision to charge Hankison with wanton endangerment rather than with Taylor's death.{{Cite news|date=September 24, 2020|title=George Clooney 'ashamed' of Breonna Taylor decision|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54277220|access-date=September 25, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011622/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54277220|url-status=live}}

At the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards, Regina King, while accepting her award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, wore a shirt that said "Say Her Name" with a photo of Taylor; the back of the shirt read "arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor". Uzo Aduba, who won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, wore a shirt that said "Breonna Taylor".{{Cite magazine |last=Gonzales |first=Erica |date=September 21, 2020 |title=Stars at the 2020 Emmys honor Breonna Taylor and the Black Lives Matter movement |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a34090254/emmy-awards-black-lives-matter-tributes/ |access-date=April 23, 2023 |magazine=Harper's Bazaar |language=en |archive-date=April 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423153108/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a34090254/emmy-awards-black-lives-matter-tributes/ |url-status=live }}

= Vandalism =

On December 26, 2020, a ceramic bust of Taylor that was installed near City Hall in downtown Oakland, California, was smashed, apparently with a baseball bat. The statue stood on a pedestal bearing the words, "Say Her Name, Breonna Taylor".{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Hayley |title=Sculpture Honoring Breonna Taylor Smashed In Oakland |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/oakland-police-breonna-taylor-bust_n_5fe9d0b5c5b66809cb32d0d6 |access-date=December 28, 2020 |work=HuffPost |date=December 28, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229011603/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/oakland-police-breonna-taylor-bust_n_5fe9d0b5c5b66809cb32d0d6 |url-status=live }}

Change.org petition

Shortly after Taylor's killing, a petition was started on the public benefit corporation website Change.org asking for "Justice for Breonna Taylor." The petition quickly gathered enough signatures to become one of the site's top three most-signed petitions, among others such as those seeking justice for George Floyd and Elijah McClain.{{cite web |last1=Aklilu |first1=Simret |title=Petitions for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor are the most signed pleas of all time at Change.org |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/24/us/petitions-change-org-2020-trnd/index.html |website=edition.cnn.com/ |publisher=CNN |access-date=November 16, 2021 |archive-date=November 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116055812/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/24/us/petitions-change-org-2020-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}