Teaneck Hosts Vigil After Ex-Cop Charged In Breonna Taylor Case

TEANECK, NJ — A grand jury has indicted former Louisville police detective Brett Hankison with wanton endangerment for shooting into neighboring apartments during the raid in which Breonna Taylor was killed.

However, none of the three officers involved — Hankison, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly or Detective Myles Cosgrove — were charged in connection to her death.

For local activist groups BLMxTeaneck and the Northern New Jersey Coalition for Black Lives, that is unacceptable.

In response, a vigil is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Teaneck on the lawn of Town Hall, BLMxTeaneck announced via social media.

The groups told Patch that they're turning to demonstration to voice disappointment and anger following the grand jury decision.

"The charges completely ignored the murder of Breonna Taylor, and made a mockery of the entire movement. 191 days have passed since Breonna was murdered and still justice has not been served," the groups said in a joint statement.

Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman from Lousiville, was killed during a March raid when officers fired multiple gunshots into her home. Her death, along with that of George Floyd, resulted in a summer of protests across the country, including demonstrations in Teaneck.

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Please come show your love and respect for Breonna Taylor, a beautiful young woman, an EMT, and a hero who's life was brutally cut short by bastards who have escaped justice. @blmbergencounty @4changebergencounty @bergen_county_socialists @bergenfield4bl @blmcresskill @blmdumont @blmedgewater @bsuenglewood @cgsdeducationreform @cliftonwaves @cresskill4blm @blmwestwood @defundinginjustice @leoniaprotests @montclairbeyondpolicing @paramusblm @bergenfieldpocalumni @rase.nj @rp4equality @rw4bl_ @riverdellblm @valley.for.change @veronaforblm @wayneforchange @edison4racialjustice @flow__forward @nobluelinesnj @north_nj_dsa @pvcommunityjustice @studentsdemandbergen @little4elizabeth #blmxteaneck #northjersey #newjersey #nj #bergencounty #explore #protest #blm #blacklivesmatter #march #demonstration #antiracism #nojusticenopeace #wecantbreathe #theseracistcopshavegottogo #nomoreracistpolice #civilrights #activism #justiceforgeorgefloyd #justiceforbreonnataylor #justiceforelijahmcclain #black
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According to a Patch report, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Wednesday witnesses told investigators all officers knocked on the door of the apartment occupied by Taylor and Kenneth Walker.

"It was not served as a no-knock warrant," Cameron said.

Hankison, who was fired by the Louisville Metro Police Department, is charged with three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, a felony that is less serious than murder or manslaughter.

If convicted, he could spend up to five years in prison for each charge.

Read more: Ex-Louisville Cop Indicted In Breonna Taylor Case