Louisville Under ‘State of Emergency’ While Anticipating Announcement Regarding Breonna Taylor

The Louisville Kentucky Police Department has declared a state of emergency in light of the anticipation of protests following the Grand Jury’s decision regarding Breonna Taylor’s death.

The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) recently declared the city of Lousiville, Kentucky to be in a “state of emergency” regarding the final verdict on the killing of Breonna Taylor.

For background on Taylor’s killing, a previous article states that “Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old nurse technician from Louisville, Kentucky was killed on March 13, 2020, by officers of the Lousiville Metro Police Department Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove. The officers entered the house with at night, with a no-knock search warrant, and fired 20 shots, eight of them hitting Taylor. The officers suspected Taylor of possession of drugs but no drugs were found in the house.” To learn more about the story of Taylor, please refer to this article. 

According to an article from The Guardian that regards information about the trial, they state “Reports have indicated the Kentucky attorney general, Daniel Cameron has presented evidence to a grand jury, which would ultimately decide whether to indict any of the three officers involved in the shooting. Cameron would also present the result of his office’s investigation into the case.” However, it is unclear when Cameron will announce the verdict.

While declaring the state of emergency, the department stated they will be canceling all vacation requests and days off “until further notice.”

The LMPD made a statement on Twitter, stating that “due to increased attention and activity in anticipation of an announcement” and to “ensure the area is as safe as possible for those coming downtown to express their first amendment rights” they will be limiting vehicle activity downtown.

Attention: Anyone with upcoming business downtown #LMPD pic.twitter.com/FL37wjGpBj

— LMPD (@LMPD) September 22, 2020

Additionally, the LMPD sent out another tweet restricting certain areas of Louisville for parking.

To prep for the Attorney General’s announcement in the Breonna Taylor case, Public Works & PARC put up “No Parking” signs along downtown streets, no parking on surface streets from 2nd to 9th streets and Market to Broadway after the announcement is made. Tickets/towing may occur.

— LMPD (@LMPD) September 21, 2020

As the world anxiously awaits the verdict of the trial, we sincerely hope that justice is served to Taylor and her family.