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A demonstration holds up a placard with the photo of Breonna Taylor on top
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Timothy D. Easley / AP
Less than a year after the death of the African American Breonna Taylor in a police operation in her apartment, the US Department of Justice has announced an investigation by the relevant police department.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said Monday in Washington that it is investigating whether police practices in Louisville are unconstitutional.
Specifically, it is about whether the police use disproportionate force, illegally carry out house searches or discriminate against minorities.
Garland had already announced an investigation by the police in Minneapolis last week.
There the African American George Floyd was killed almost a year ago.
Breonna Taylor was shot dead by police in her own home in Louisville in March of last year.
The name of the 26-year-old black paramedic became a symbol of the movement against racism and police violence, similar to that of George Floyd.
According to the investigation, police officers equipped with a warrant broke into Taylor's home at night when they received no response to her knock.
In the apartment, Taylor's friend is said to have been the first to shoot and injure one of the officers in the leg.
The friend later stated that he thought the police officers were burglars.
The officers returned fire and met the unarmed Breonna Taylor at least five times, according to official information.
According to media reports, they were looking for Taylor's ex-boyfriend, who was not present.
Use caused outrage and protests
No charges were brought against any of the three police officers involved in the operation.
One of the policemen has to answer in court - but because he is said to have endangered other residents in the apartment building with his shots.
According to the Kentucky Department of Justice, investigators concluded that the other two police officers were defending themselves.
The city of Louisville reached an unusually high settlement payment of twelve million dollars in a civil case with Taylor's family last September.
At the same time, she promised reforms in the police force.
The investigation announced by Garland will also include local government in Louisville, according to the minister.
mjm / dpa