Prosecutor Still Reviewing Case After Civil Rights Lawyers Raise Questions About Police Report

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Kent County Prosecutor's Office has not yet announced whether the Grand Rapids Police Department officer who fatally shot Da'Quain Johnson on February 18 acted in justified self-defense.

This remains the case as of mid-March 2026, even after Michigan State Police completed their investigation and forwarded their findings to prosecutors on March 3.

Family Lawyers Question Investigative Report Discrepancies

Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Ven Johnson, who represent Da'Quain Johnson's family, have raised significant concerns about inconsistencies in the redacted Michigan State Police investigative report they reviewed.

The documents show conflicting information about the contents of a 9mm pistol recovered from the scene. One report from investigative officer Dillard Hayes described the evidence as "One (1) Taurus G2C S/N: [REDACTED] two-tone tan and black 9mm pistol recovered from the ground in the SE corner of parking lot. The pistol was loaded with eight (8) rounds in the magazine and one (1) round chambered."

However, a lab report from the Grand Rapids Forensic Laboratory stated the evidence received was "1 – 9mm Luger caliber, Taurus, model G2c, semiautomatic pistol, serial number [REDACTED], with an empty magazine."

When asked why the magazine contents differ between documents, Spl/Lt. Pat Agema, public information officer for Michigan State Police's Sixth District, explained that police unload firearms and store ammunition separately as part of standard investigation procedure.

But Crump and Johnson dispute this explanation.

"If Mr. Crump and I move forward with the lawsuit, which at this point certainly looks likely, one of the many depositions that we'll be taking in this case are the laboratory folks that analyze those," Johnson said. "I agree with Ben, something's off here. I don't get what they're trying to do."

Disputes Over Police Narrative

The family has also challenged the police account of what occurred during the confrontation. Officers stated that Johnson reached for a gun, prompting them to fire multiple shots.

However, body camera and bystander footage released by the Grand Rapids Police Department appears to conflict with this claim. The videos show Johnson on the ground while a K-9 unit was latched onto his upper left arm.

His right elbow appeared to flare outward, consistent with someone pulling an object from their waistband area, according to a review of apartment complex parking lot video footage by state police.

"If they had the pointing of a gun, we'd have seen it. We know it," Johnson said. "And then you could say it's justified, but that's because they know if the gun is underneath him or in his hand, or both, but it's not being pointed at anyone, then they can't shoot him. It would be excessive force, and they just need to come out and admit it, and they won't."

Redacted Names of Officers Remain Hidden

The investigative report released to the Michigan Advance is heavily redacted, particularly regarding the names of officers directly involved in the shooting.

Angelica Johnson, Da'Quain's mother, has called for transparency since his death. "Why is it all redacted?" she asked. "What are we hiding? Obviously they have no problem listing my client's name. Obviously they have no problem listing what they believe my client's previous record to be. They don't have any problem listing much, except if it has to do with the officers involved."

Ben Crump, who also represented the family of Patrick Lyoya, who was fatally shot by Grand Rapids police in 2022, echoed these sentiments.

"If they were proud of what they had done, they would own it," Crump said. "If they could justify what they have done, they would own it."

Community Concerns Over K-9 Policy

The case has also sparked broader concerns about the Grand Rapids Police Department's K-9 unit policies. A white man from Grand Rapids named Lucas G.R. conducted a social experiment in 2025 where he drove without license plates through four or five different police jurisdictions. He was never stopped or questioned.

"I bet if I started riding my bike around with a gun on me, nobody would call," Lucas said during a city commission meeting.

He cited the Johnson case while calling for changes to how police dogs are deployed. "As a white guy from the South, I have to say that when I see a Black man running away while dogs are sicced on him, it is reminiscent of plantations of the Old South," he said.

City Manager Reviews Department Policies

Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington announced he is 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.

Johnson's Death Certificate Lists Gunshot to Back as Cause

Johnson's death certificate lists a gunshot wound to the back as the cause of death. The 32-year-old father of three was chased on a bicycle from the Eastern Lofts Apartment Complex before the confrontation occurred in the parking lot.

A baggy containing about 10 grams of suspected crack cocaine was found on Johnson's body, according to the investigative report.

What Happens Next

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker's Office will determine if the officer's actions were justified in the February 18 shooting that killed Da'Quain Johnson. The prosecutor has until the end of the month to make this determination.

Meanwhile, the civil rights attorneys indicate they are preparing to file a lawsuit, which would open the door to depositions of laboratory personnel and potentially other investigators involved in the case.

The family continues to demand answers and accountability. Angelica Johnson has stated she will not rest until killer cops are brought to justice.

Da'Quain Johnson's case has become part of a larger pattern of concern within the Grand Rapids community, as the department has shot or shot at dozens of people since 2022, with four of those shootings resulting in fatalities.

Sources

• Lawyers for man killed by Grand Rapids police officer raise questions about investigative reports — https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/lawyers-man-killed-grand-rapids-185727930.html
• Da'quain Johnson had loaded handgun with round in the chamber when GRPD Officer fatally shot him, police report says — https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/daquain-johnson-had-loaded-handgun-with-round-in-the-chamber-when-grpd-officer-fatally-shot-him-police-report-says/69-57f06798-38e8-42e9-8107-6fe1f76979d6
• 'Never Stopped': White Man Says He Broke the Law Daily — Cites Police Killing of Black Father in Racial Bias Debate — https://www.frontpagedetectives.com/p/never-stopped-white-man-says-he-broke-the-law-daily-cites-police-killing-of-black-father-in-racial-bias-debate