A white Grand Rapids, Michigan, resident challenged city commissioners recently, testifying that he spent a year driving through five police jurisdictions with fake license plate tags specifically to test for racial bias.
A white resident identifying himself as “Lucas G.R.” testified at the commission meeting after Grand Rapids police shot and killed 32-year-old Da-Quain Johnson on the evening of February 18, 2026. Reports say Grand Rapids police pursued Johnson as he rode a bicycle in southeast Grand Rapids. Police suspected Johnson was armed. There were no public 911 calls about him.
As G.R. said at the Feb. 24, 2026, Grand Rapids Commissioners meeting, “I decided to start an experiment to see how long I, as a white dude, could drive around without them and not get pulled over.” According to G.R., the police never pulled him over or questioned him, per The City of Grand Rapids on YouTube.
“But please do keep telling us that there’s no racial or class bias in policing. I bet if I started riding my bike around with a gun on me, nobody would call,” G.R. told commissioners.
What happened to Da-Quain Johnson?
A Grand Rapids Police Department K-9 unit engaged Johnson near an apartment complex parking lot. A police dog bit him after he fell. Body camera footage released by authorities shows officers ordering Johnson to drop a gun and stop reaching with his hands. One officer fired three shots, striking him while he was on the ground. Authorities say they recovered a handgun under his body.
Johnson, a father of three, was taken to a hospital. He died from his wounds early the next morning. Authorities have not identified the officer who fired the shots or the K-9 handler.
Grand Rapids police reform debate
The same night G.R. spoke, Johnson’s mother, Angelica Johnson, said, “What I need to know is, what are you guys going to do? When do we, the people, get the justice that we actually deserve? When do we stop electing people that promise us to do something different than the people before y’all?” per local news outlet Fox 17.
G.R. also told the commissioners, “As a white guy from the south, I got to say that when I see a Black man running away having dogs sicced on them, it’s reminiscent of the plantations of the old south.”
G.R. added, “I concur with those who’ve called for drastic change in the dog policy at GRPD [Grand Rapids Police Department.] I also join with those who are very tired of listening to a group who doesn’t even rank among the top 15 to 20 most dangerous professions bellyache about how they supposedly feared for their lives while nestled snug in their body armor.”
Grand Rapids city leaders issued statements expressing condolences to Johnson’s family. Officials said the shooting is under independent investigation by the Michigan State Police. The Kent County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the case and could file additional charges following a final report.
Officials also noted that the Grand Rapids Police Department would conduct an internal administrative review. A separate oversight audit is planned to evaluate policy compliance.
Johnson’s family members and activists are disputing the police account and calling for greater transparency. Johnson’s mother and demonstrators have called for the release of complete body-worn camera footage and the identification of the officers involved. Johnson’s family and local activists contend that the released footage fails to justify the use of deadly force while a police K-9 already had him restrained.
The local NAACP and other community leaders have pressed for accountability and changes in policing practices. They urge a pause in the city’s search for a new police chief until residents’ concerns are addressed.
Published: Mar 3, 2026 04:04 pm