State Police Report Released on Feb. 18 Shooting of Da'Quain Johnson

A newly released Michigan State Police report provides new details on the deadly Grand Rapids police shooting that killed 32-year-old Da'Quain Johnson on February 18 in the parking lot of an apartment complex on the city's southeast side.

The investigative report, released through a Freedom of Information Act request, confirms that police officers recovered a loaded handgun near Johnson's body after he was fatally shot by a Grand Rapids police officer.

After one of its officers fatally shot Da'Quain Johnson, the Grand Rapids Police Department found a loaded gun near the 32-year-old's body, believed to have been in his possession.

This new detail and others are part of the Michigan State Police report, which FOX 17 obtained on Monday through a FOIA request.

Chasing Johnson on a Bicycle

On February 18, Johnson was shot and killed in the parking lot of an apartment complex on the city's southeast side during a struggle between him, two GRPD officers and a K9 police dog.

According to the Michigan State Police report, the officers had been chasing Johnson, who was riding a bicycle, with the belief he was "likely armed with a handgun."

While the Grand Rapids Police Department has released portions of body and dash camera video from the pursuit and subsequent shooting, the state police report notes "parking lot surveillance cameras" also captured the deadly incident.

In a review of this footage, an MSP detective said Johnson, who fell to the ground after dismounting from his bicycle, appeared "to reach into his right hip area with his right arm before being tackled by a GRPD K9."

Gun Found Under Johnson

During the struggle, the detective said Johnson's "right elbow" then appeared to "flare outward," a motion "consistent with pulling an object from his waistband."

In body camera video, officers can be heard telling Johnson to "let it go" and "drop the gun."

Then, seconds after he fired the fatal shots, one of these officers claimed to have seen the barrel of Johnson's gun pointed at his face.

According to the MSP report, the Grand Rapids Police Department later recovered a tan and black 9mm pistol on the ground near Johnson's body, loaded with "eight rounds in the magazine and one round chambered."

The suspected pistol then appears to fall out of his hand near his right hip area, consistent with where the pistol is observed on Ofc. (redacted) bodycam when Da'Quain is taken into custody.

The gun was identified as a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

Cocaine Found on Johnson

The report also said, while attempting life-saving measures, healthcare workers found on Johnson's body a plastic bag containing around 10 grams of suspected crack cocaine.

Hospital staff also later found 10 grams of suspected crack cocaine on Johnson during their medical response.

Family Demands Justice

Johnson's mother, Angelica Johnson, spoke on her son's death during a virtual press conference with her attorneys.

I will not let his legacy be remembered in a negative way,

She said.

He will not be defined by past mistakes or what assumptions people want to make about things they have not facts about.

Attorneys Ven Johnson and Ben Crump argued that Johnson did not pose a threat to the officers during the incident.

There is no law anywhere in our country that says because an individual has a gun and it's loaded, it means they can be murdered or they can be shot — unless they pose an imminent threat to somebody else.

Attorney Ven Johnson said.

I mean, think about all the people in America who have drugs on them. Do they deserve the death sentence?

Attorney Ben Crump added.

Prosecution Decision Pending

Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker told FOX 17 on Monday that he will "let everyone know" when he has made his charging decision in the case.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Grand Rapids Police Department said,

We are committed to the integrity of the MSP investigative process and the Kent County Prosecutor's review.

The K-9 unit was deployed during the incident, with officers telling Johnson to "let it go" and "drop the gun" as they approached him after he fell from his bicycle.

Community Outrage

The incident has sparked outrage in the Grand Rapids community, with civil rights attorneys calling for transparency and accountability.

Four mothers addressed protesters at Rosa Parks Circle on Saturday, remembering their sons and calling for changes in how police use force.

The family of Da'Quain Johnson was joined by Kent County Commissioner Robert S. Womack and other community leaders to address the 31-year-old's death after he was shot by Grand Rapids Police Department officers on Wednesday night.

Full State Police Report Details

The full state police report includes:

• Evidence and a statement forwarded to Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker for review
• Review of video captured statements made by two officers involved in the Feb. 18 shooting of Johnson behind Eastern Lofts apartments
• Bodycam footage of the fatal shooting after a bicycle chase
• Parking lot surveillance video showing Johnson appearing to reach into his right hip area
• Analysis of Johnson's right elbow "flaring outward" consistent with pulling an object from his waistband

The report was released Thursday, March 19, through a records request.