Breonna Taylor case: City of Louisville fears riots over judicial decision

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Memorial signs and flowers for Breonna Taylor in downtown Louisville

Photo: JEFF DEAN / AFP

Nervousness is growing in the US city of Louisville in the US state of Kentucky because of a possible judicial decision in the case of the African-American woman Breonna Taylor who was shot by white police officers.

Concerned about possible riots, the police erected barricades in the city in the state of Kentucky, shops and restaurants protected their glass facades with plywood.

Mayor Greg Fischer imposed a state of emergency and a night curfew from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. (local time) on Tuesday due to possible "unrest" in the city.

Taylor, 26, was fatally shot in March after an exchange of fire between Taylor's partner and the police.

The police entered Taylor's apartment shortly after midnight without warning.

Taylor's friend was in bed with Taylor at the time and believed he was being robbed by his own account.

He opened fire with his gun, which he legally owned.

The police were allowed to enter the apartment without prior notice, according to the Reuters news agency by an arrest warrant.

One of the police officers involved has already been dismissed from service.

City paid a heavy settlement to Taylor's family

The city had recently settled a civil lawsuit with Taylor's family by paying a severance payment of $ 12 million.

Binding reforms by the Louisville Police Department were also linked to the agreement.

For example, the issuing of search warrants should be more strictly controlled.

Taylor, 26, was fatally shot in March after an exchange of fire between Taylor's partner and the police.

The police had previously entered Taylor's apartment shortly after midnight without warning.

According to the Reuters news agency, they were allowed to enter the apartment without prior notice through an arrest warrant.

The Taylor case has caused outrage across the country.

During the protests against racism and police violence against black people after the death of the African American George Floyd in a brutal police operation at the end of May, Taylor's picture was shown and her name was mentioned again and again - she is one of the symbolic figures of the Black Lives Matter movement.

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fek / AFP / Reuters / AP