Why It Matters
The fatal shooting of Da’Quain Johnson by Grand Rapids police has sparked a legal dispute over the accuracy of law enforcement statements and the withholding of investigative records in Michigan. Civil rights attorneys representing Johnson’s family are challenging the police department’s account of the incident, raising questions about transparency in officer-involved shooting investigations and the information released to families of deceased victims. This case marks the 12th officer-involved shooting in Grand Rapids since 2022, underscoring a pattern that has drawn national attention to the department’s use of force practices.
What Happened
Da’Quain Johnson was fatally shot by a Grand Rapids police officer last month in an incident that has become the subject of an ongoing civil rights investigation. Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Ven Johnson, who previously represented the family of Patrick Lyoya—killed by Grand Rapids police in 2022—announced their involvement in the case on Friday, March 20, 2026.
The Grand Rapids Police Department released limited body camera and dashcam footage the day after the shooting. However, according to the attorneys, critical investigative materials have not been provided to the family, including the complete autopsy reports, medical records, and the Michigan State Police investigative report.
Attorney Crump stated that video evidence shows Johnson face-down on the ground when he was shot three times. A bystander video presented during the attorneys’ press call contradicts certain police narratives about the circumstances of the shooting. Crump characterized the incident as an execution-style killing, noting that Johnson was struck multiple times while a police dog was attacking him simultaneously.
The officers involved in the shooting have not been publicly named. The Grand Rapids Police Department has cited justifications for the officers’ actions, but the attorneys argue these statements contain mistruths and are not supported by available video evidence.
By The Numbers
- Da’Quain Johnson was shot three times during the incident
- The incident represents the 12th officer-involved shooting in Grand Rapids since 2022
- Two officers were present at the scene during the shooting
- The attorneys represent a family that is the second police shooting victim’s family from Grand Rapids they have taken on since 2022
Zoom Out
The case reflects broader national concerns about police use of force, transparency in investigations, and the withholding of records from families of deceased victims. Ben Crump has represented families in several high-profile cases involving police killings, including those of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Breonna Taylor, positioning the Johnson family’s legal team within a larger movement examining law enforcement accountability across the United States.
Grand Rapids has experienced a significant increase in officer-involved shootings over the past four years. The Johnson shooting is the 12th such incident since 2022, suggesting a pattern that extends beyond individual cases. The involvement of Crump and attorney Ven Johnson—who also represented Patrick Lyoya’s family after Lyoya was shot and killed by Grand Rapids police in 2022—indicates a recurring issue within the department.
The dispute over video evidence and police statements mirrors similar controversies in other jurisdictions where families of shooting victims have challenged official police narratives based on independent video recordings. The withholding of autopsy reports, medical records, and state police investigative findings also reflects ongoing tensions between law enforcement agencies and families regarding access to documentation in officer-involved death cases.
What’s Next
The civil rights attorneys are conducting an active investigation into whether excessive force was used against Da’Quain Johnson. Their inquiry will examine the validity of the police department’s claims that the officers were justified in shooting Johnson.
Key outstanding actions include the release of complete investigative materials to the family, including the full Michigan State Police report, autopsy findings, and medical records. The attorneys have indicated they will present findings from their investigation, though no specific timeline for conclusions has been announced.
The case may proceed toward civil litigation or settlement negotiations, following patterns established in the Patrick Lyoya case and similar officer-involved shooting cases in Michigan. Any potential criminal charges against the officers involved would depend on the state’s investigation and prosecutor discretion. The incident will likely remain under scrutiny by local oversight bodies and civil rights organizations monitoring Grand Rapids Police Department practices.