Prosecutor Decision Leaves Family Outraged, Promises to Continue Fight

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced Thursday, April 2, that Grand Rapids Police officer Christopher Carlson will not face criminal charges for fatally shooting Da'Quain Johnson on February 18 in downtown Grand Rapids.

Becker released his decision in a press conference, ruling the shooting was justified under self-defense laws.

"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.

Johnson, 32, was shot twice in the back while he and another officer tried to handcuff him in the parking lot of Eastern Lofts apartments on Eastern Avenue SE. The incident began around 9:30 p.m. when officers pursued Johnson on his bicycle after receiving reports of a man carrying a gun.

Video Shows Johnson Reaching for Gun, Officers Claim

Body camera footage released by the Grand Rapids Police Department shows Johnson reaching for a firearm while on the ground. The officers told Johnson to "stop reaching" and warned he would be shot.

"Stop reaching, man, or you're gonna get shot," an officer said in the video Becker shared.

According to the video, Johnson had the gun in his hand before the shooting occurred. One officer stated he saw Johnson point the barrel of the gun at him immediately after gunshots rang out.

Becker noted the videos were among the worst he has reviewed in his office.

"The videos may be some of the worst images ever reviewed in this office and caught on tape. However, I must examine this case based on the law and what can be proven in court, not simply how it appears on video," Becker said.

Carlson Also Involved in Previous Shooting

Officer Carlson joined the Grand Rapids Police Department in 2019. He was also involved in another fatal officer-involved shooting on November 8, 2024, when a man was shot and killed near Trinity Health Grand Rapids hospital.

In that case, the suspect allegedly told officers to "shoot me" and pointed a look-alike gun at officers that turned out to be a lighter. Becker cleared all officers involved in that shooting as well.

Becker said he also decided not to pursue charges in that incident, stating the officers were justified in their decision to fire their weapons.

Civil Rights Attorneys Call Decision 'Assassination'

Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Ven Johnson, who represent Johnson's family, have called the shooting an "assassination." They argue the officer-involved shooting narrative does not match the video evidence.

"When a life is taken, there must be a thorough and transparent public process to determine what happened and why," Johnson and Crump said in a joint statement. "The Johnson family deserves answers — and we intend to help them get those answers."

They also refuted the Grand Rapids Police Department's narrative of what occurred that night.

Family Announces Plans to Appeal Decision

Johnson's mother, Angelica Johnson, condemned the ruling as a "green light to kill" and announced plans to appeal the decision to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel for a higher-level review.

The family has already signaled they intend to file a civil lawsuit.

Community Pushback and City Response

The shooting has sparked significant community pushback, with protests taking to the streets the day after the incident and hundreds attending a rally on March 1.

Angelica Johnson appeared at both the rallies and a City Commission meeting.

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

Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington said he has been reviewing data on officer-involved shootings over the past five years. He wants to examine 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," Washington said. "There are some in the community who are grieving Mr. Johnson's death and the investigative outcome."

He directed the Grand Rapids Police Department and the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability to move forward with their own administrative reviews.

Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand released a statement following Becker's announcement.

"I respect the independence of the Prosecutor's Office and the Michigan State Police investigation, but I also recognize that this news is deeply painful for many in our community," LaGrand said. "The loss of Mr. Johnson remains a profound tragedy, and I continue to mourn alongside his family."

Investigation Timeline

The Michigan State Police took over the investigation on March 3 after receiving the investigation and findings from that agency.

13 ON YOUR SIDE later obtained Johnson's death certificate, which lists a gunshot wound to the back as his cause of death.

Johnson died early the next day while undergoing surgery at a local hospital.

The officer who fired was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.