The officer who fatally shot Da'Quain Johnson on Feb. 18 will not face charges, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced Thursday, April 2.

Becker held a press conference to announce no charges against Grand Rapids Police Department Officer Christopher Carlson in the deadly shooting.

"I cannot show that the decision of Officer Christopher Carlson for the Grand Rapids Police Department to use deadly force that night was not honest and reasonable," Becker said. "Putting it another way, in terms of when a self-defense claim, or defense of others claim, is raised, I have to prove that, beyond a reasonable doubt, that they did not act in self-defense. And based on the facts and circumstances as I see them, I just cannot simply do that."

"I cannot imagine what the family is going through after Johnson's death," Becker said after calling the videos "gut-wrenching."

Carlson joined the Grand Rapids Police Department in 2019. He was also involved in another fatal officer-involved shooting in November 2024 when a man was shot and killed near Trinity Health Hospital. The man was carrying a lighter that resembled a handgun and refused to follow orders, according to a GRPD report.

GRPD determined that the 2024 incident was likely "suicide by cop." Becker also decided not to pursue charges in that incident, saying that the officers were justified in their decision to fire their weapons.

Tactical indicators and a confidential informant tip initiated the fatal encounter

The incident began when the Grand Rapids police Vice Unit received a tip from a confidential informant that Johnson was armed near a local liquor store.

After Johnson fled from a secondary traffic stop on a bicycle, a 90-second pursuit ended with Johnson being brought down by a police K-9.

During the struggle on the ground, officers observed Johnson's arm at a "45-degree bend," a specific posture taught in police training as a signal that a suspect is reaching for a concealed firearm. This observation led the officers to escalate their commands and physical restraint before the situation turned lethal.

In body camera footage released by GRPD, Johnson gets off his bike and appears to fall. The officers deploy a K9 which begins biting Johnson.

"Stop reaching, man. You're going to get shot," one of the officers is heard saying in one of the body-cam videos.

GRPD said Johnson reached for a gun. That's when the officer fired multiple shots.

Johnson was taken to a hospital, where he died during surgery. 13 ON YOUR SIDE later obtained his death certificate, which lists a gunshot wound to the back as his cause of death.

The officer who fired was placed on administrative leave. Michigan State Police took over the investigation.

In a Freedom of Information Act request, 13 ON YOUR SIDE obtained MSP's report. Investigators claim video evidence shows Johnson was prone while the police K9 was latched onto his upper arm.

They were concerned about the firearm they said was near his right side. Investigators noted that Johnson's right arm was initially difficult to see, but his movements drew attention.

MSP said the handgun fell near Johnson's right hip during the struggle and later recovered a tan two-tone Taurus 9mm handgun with 8 rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber.

Johnson's family rejects the ruling and seeks a state-level investigation

Angelica Johnson, Da'Quain's mother, condemned the ruling as a "green light to kill at will" for the Grand Rapids Police Department.

She argued that the footage showed her son was being held down by a K-9 and having his arm stood upon by an officer at the time of the shooting, questioning why deadly force was necessary under such heavy restraint.

Refusing to meet with Becker after the press conference, she announced her intention to bring the case to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel for a secondary review, framing the struggle as a fight for the safety of her remaining family in the community.

The incident occurs against a backdrop of prior deadly police shootings

The decision to clear Carlson is compounded by his recent history and the city's sensitive legal climate regarding police conduct.

This marks the second fatal shooting Carlson has been involved in within the last year, having been previously cleared in a 2024 incident involving a man armed with a lighter that resembled a gun.

Becker also noted the inevitable comparisons to the 2022 killing of Patrick Lyoya by a Grand Rapids officer. However, he distinguished Johnson's case by highlighting the verified presence of a firearm, which he argued significantly altered the legal landscape compared to the unarmed struggle in the Lyoya investigation.

City officials launch internal reviews to verify compliance with police policies

While the criminal investigation by the Michigan State Police has officially concluded, Grand Rapids Interim Police Chief Joe Trigg confirmed that the department will now initiate an internal administrative review.

The process is designed to ensure that both Carlson and the other officer involved, Austin Diekevers, adhered strictly to internal department policies and procedures during the fatal encounter.

Trigg expressed gratitude for the "immense professionalism" shown by his officers despite the high-stress environment and intense public scrutiny following the event.

City Manager Mark Washington also directed the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability to move forward with a separate review of the incident.

Washington said he has been reviewing the data on officer-involved shootings over the past five years. He wants to look at the department's pursuit and K-9 policies, as well as the civilian appeals board.

"I understand this news evokes strong emotions, especially for those that have been directly impacted by this incident. There are some in the community who are grieving Mr. Johnson's death and the investigative outcome. However, my work – and the City's internal work – is not finished," Washington said following Becker's decision.

He said he has directed GRPD and the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability to move forward with their own administrative reviews to ensure all department policies were upheld.

"My goal remains clear: to ensure a fair and just outcome for everyone involved while maintaining the safety of our city," Washington said. "I continue to encourage constructive dialogue and ask that our community remains united as we move forward from this incident."

Trigg said while MSP's investigation has concluded, he knows the family and community are still in mourning.

"While this decision concludes the independent criminal investigation by the Michigan State Police, we remain mindful that a family is mourning and our community is still processing a very difficult event," Trigg said.

"As Interim Chief, I want to be clear that my priorities are the safety of this community and the integrity of the Grand Rapids Police Department."

The community has pushed back on the shooting, with protestors taking to the streets the day after and hundreds attending a rally on March 1.

Angelica Johnson appeared at rallies and a City Commission meeting.

"I will get justice," she said. "I will get justice. I won't sit back."

MSP took over the investigation on Tuesday, March 3.