GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ/AP) - A Grand Rapids police officer was given a $100,000 bond during his arraignment on second-degree murder charges stemming the the April shooting death of 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya, officials said on Friday.
Officer Christopher Schurr, 31, made his appearance virtually at the 61st District Court in Grand Rapids -- he pleaded not guilty from the Calhoun County Jail where he is currently being held.
His defense attorney Mark Dodge argued for Schurr to receive a personal recognizance bond; Judge Nicholas Ayoub set bond at $100,000.
Schurr turned himself in on Thursday after Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced the charges nine weeks after Lyoya was killed during a traffic stop in Grand Rapids.
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The officer stopped Lyoya on the southeast side of the city on April 4. Lyoya, who was found to have had a BAC more than three times the legal limit at the time of his death, got out of his car and eventually tried to get away from Schurr.
A struggle ensued and the officer deployed his taser, before ultimately firing his gun and shooting Lyoya in the back of the head while the two were struggling on the ground.
Schurr was immediately placed on administrative leave after the incident; Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said during a Thursday afternoon news conference he has begun the process of having Schurr fired from the department.
The courtroom was filled with supporters of Schurr, with some attendees wearing blue ribbons and T-shirts that read, “Back The Blue. #standwithschurr.”
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The probable cause hearing is scheduled for June 21 and the preliminary hearing is set to take place on June 28.
Schurr faces up to life in prison with the possibility of parole if convicted.