Protesters Unload Shields From Storage Truck as Louisville Braces for Riots

A crowd of demonstrators unloaded shields in Louisville, Kentucky, on Wednesday, September 23, following a grand jury’s decision to indict one of three officers involved in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor.

Former Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Officer Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree. Hankison’s bond was set at $15,000. Hankison was fired from the police force on June 23 for his role in the shooting death of Taylor.

Sgt Jonathan Mattingly and detective Myles Cosgrove, the other two officers who fired their weapons while trying to serve a search warrant on Taylor’s apartment in the early hours of March 13, were not charged.

The LMPD declared a state of emergency on Monday in preparation for the grand jury announcement and canceled officers’ vacation and planned leave “until further notice,” reports said.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer put a 72-hour curfew in place for Louisville and LMPD interim Chief Robert Schroeder confirmed that Kentucky National Guard members would be present following the announcement. Credit: Brendan Gutenschwager via Storyful