Two US police officers linked to the fatal shooting of young black medic Breonna Taylor could soon be dismissed from their positions, US media reports.
Breonna Taylor was shot dead by police during a raid on her home in March. Her death led to global outrage as protesters took to the streets to demand justice for another killing of an African-American by the police.
The 26-year-old was shot at least three times after police entered her home in the middle of the night, while she and her boyfriend were in bed.
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Thinking the police were intruders, Taylor's boyfriend shot at the officers, injuring Officer John Mattingly, prompting both Mattingly and Cosgrove to open fire on the couple.
According to reports by American media sites, the Louisville police department is moving to fire the officer who fired the shot that killed Breonna Taylor. The department is also seeking to fire a second officer who obtained a judge's approval for the poorly planned raid.
Officer Myles Cosgrove and Detective Joshua Jaynes both received pre-termination letters on Tuesday, their lawyers told media outlets. Both officers will appear at a hearing before Police Chief Yvette Gentry on Thursday. The officers can appeal the police chief's final decision.
Jaynes had obtained a 'no-knock' search warrant, which allowed officers to enter Taylor's home in the middle of the night without knocking or declaring they were law enforcement, based on information from a postal inspector that Taylor's former boyfriend, a drug suspect, had been receiving packages at her address.
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However, it was later discovered that Jaynes had not verified the information with the post office.
None of the officers involved in Taylor's death have been charged in relation to her killing, however one officer, Brett Hankison, faces a charge of wanton endangerment for firing recklessly into a neighbouring apartment. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge, but has been fired from the LMPD.
On Tuesday, reports discovered that a statue erected in honour of Breonna Taylor had been vandalised in the city of Oakland, California. The statue had only been constructed two weeks ago and showed Breonna Taylor smiling, accompanied by a message that read: "Say her name: Breonna Taylor."
The Oakland police department launching an investigation. As it stands, the police are yet to identify any suspects or motive.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Black Lives Matter, News