Cases of Excessive Force Where Officers Walked Away Free

Most recently, the officer shot and killed Amir Locke will not be facing criminal charges.

Since the summer of 2020, when we saw an overwhelming number of police brutality cases, the officers accused of using excessive or deadly force against Black people have rarely been charged. FiveThiryEight found only 110 officers nationwide have been charged with murder in an on-duty shooting yet 1,000 people are shot and killed by police every year. A Washington Post database found 14 Black people have died by police shooting this year.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Stefon Diggs and Cardi B Viral Boat Video Prompts Response from Patriots Coach

Though the officers who killed George Floyd were brought to justice, other families must live with the fact the officers who shot and killed their loved ones have not been held accountable for their actions. Some investigations are still pending, but below are the most recent incidents of officers escaping criminal charges.

Breonna Taylor

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Fair Use’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] New York Times

Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by Louisville police officers in the middle of night after her boyfriend Kenneth Williams fired a warning shot at the apartment entrance, thinking they were intruders. One officer, Brett Hankison, was acquitted from his charge of wanton endangerment. The other officers were not charged, reported CNN.

Jacob Blake

Jacob Blake speaks out about shooting, decision not to charge Kenosha police officer. Photo: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Fair Use’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] ABC7 Chicago

Blake, was shot in the back by Kenosha Officer Rusten Sheskey while resisting arrest and reportedly charging toward him with a knife. Blake was paralyzed from the waist down as a result. Federal prosecutors decided not to file charges against Sheskey, reported AP News.

Antwon Rose II

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Fair Use’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] Nicole Nesby/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Antwon Rose II, 17, was shot and killed by Officer Michael Rosfeld during a traffic stop. Rosfeld faced one criminal homicide charge in addition to first- and third-degree murder and manslaughter, but a jury found Rosfeld not guilty, per CNN.

Keevin Robinson

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Fair Use’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] Keevin Robinson family attorney

Robinson, 22, died in police custody after being chased by officers in a narcotics trafficking investigation. The coroner deemed his caused of death as a homicide. No charges were brought against the officers but Robinson’s family reached a settlement of over $300,000 with the sheriff’s office, reported Fox8Live News.

Cedric Lofton

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Fair Use’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] KWCH12

Lofton, 17, died in police custody after being handcuffed and restrained lying face down for 30 minutes. The Kansas district attorney cited the “stand your ground” law to justify not charging the officers in connected to Lofton’s death, reported CNN.

Amir Locke

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Fair Use’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] ABC News

Locke, 22, was shot and killed by Minneapolis SWAT officers during a no-knock search warrant raid. Minnesota prosecutors declined to file charges against Officer Mark Hanneman, the officer who shot Locke, reported AP News.

Kisha Michael and Marquintan Sandlin

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Fair Use’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] Facebook

Inglewood police officers shot and killed the couple while they were in their car after being found unconscious. The officers said they thought the two were reaching for a firearm. The Los Angeles district attorney said there was probably cause to believe the officers feared for their life and declined to file charges against them, reported NBC Los Angeles.

Jim Rogers

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Fair Use’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] CBS Pittsburgh

Jim Rogers, 54, was tased 10 times by Pittsburgh police officers as they tried to arrest him for an alleged theft of a bicycle. He died at the hospital the next day of lack of oxygen to the brain, reported WTAE. Three of the five officers involved have been reinstated to their jobs. A jury is deciding on whether they could face criminal charges.

John Neville

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Fair Use’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] WXII 12

Neville, 56, died in police custody after deputies held him on his stomach, pulling his arms behind his back and raising his legs to his wrists, causing him to have trouble breathing. None of the deputies have been charged, reported News&Observer.

Byron Williams

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘Fair Use’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}] Nevada Current

Williams died in Las Vegas police custody as a result of being handcuffed and prone out on his stomach. He signaled to officers 24 times he could not breathe. The Clark County district attorney’s office found no “criminal prosecution” of the officers involved would be “appropriate,” reported KTNV Las Vegas.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Black Movies To Look Forward to in 2026

Black Movies To Look Forward to in 2026

From Colman Domingo to Zendaya, Black stars are coming in hot with new movies in 2026. Let’s take a look! …
New Year's Day Movie Watchlist

New Year’s Day Movie Watchlist

Finally, the holiday festivities are over—now it’s time to unwind. Let us guide you to hilarious stand-ups, intense dramas, and thrilling adventures that will keep you entertained all weekend long …
Internet Reacts To Reports That Teyana Taylor, Aaron Pierre Split

Internet Reacts To Reports That Teyana Taylor, Aaron Pierre Split

Fans are speculating the Hollywood couple may have parted ways, with social media sharing plenty of shade and opinions …
Stylist Tells The Fascinating Story Behind Brandy’s Iconic Braids

Stylist Tells The Fascinating Story Behind Brandy’s Iconic Braids

How Celebrity Stylist Chuckie Amos turned Brandy’s braids into a cultural revolution …
'Hell's Kitchen' Black Chef Opens A Bar Where Phones Are Banned in D.C.

‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Black Chef Opens A Bar Where Phones Are Banned in D.C.

Hush Harbor is a Black-owned bar in Washington D.C. with a strict no-phones policy …
Bring These Delicious Drinks to Your New Year's Eve Celebration Tonight!

Bring These Delicious Drinks to Your New Year’s Eve Celebration Tonight!

If you’re looking for the perfect bottle to bring to a New Year’s Eve celebration, we’ve got you covered …
Idris Elba May Never Be called James Bond, But This is How You Must Address Him Now On…

Idris Elba May Never Be called James Bond, But This is How You Must Address Him Now On…

British actor Idris Elba was just given high honors from King Charles III — along with a new title! …
We Finally Get the D4vd Celeste Rivas Investigation Update We Were Waiting For

We Finally Get the D4vd Celeste Rivas Investigation Update We Were Waiting For

Reports that a grand jury could indict D4vd in connection to the death of Celeste Rivas are coming to light …
Everything You Didn't Know About Boxing Champ Anthony Joshua

Everything You Didn’t Know About Boxing Champ Anthony Joshua

Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is becoming a household name in America. Here are all the deets you never knew about him! …
You'd Better Pay Close Attention to This Small But Crucial Change in U.S. Postal Service Policy

You’d Better Pay Close Attention to This Small But Crucial Change in U.S. Postal Service Policy

Late fees and penalties have been predicted after USPS changed its decades-long postmark policy …
Best True Crime Documentaries to Stream Right Now on Netflix

Best True Crime Documentaries to Stream Right Now on Netflix

With some much needed time off on the horizon for a lot of us, we thought it’d be fun to round up more than a handful of documentaries that keep you on the edge of your seat as 2026 rolls around! …
Oprah Breaks Silence on Her One Unexpected Side-Effect of Popular Weight Loss Drug

Oprah Breaks Silence on Her One Unexpected Side-Effect of Popular Weight Loss Drug

After losing and regaining weight on and off for years, Oprah feels that what’s working right now is making her healthier …
Chicago Blocks Troops but New Orleans Welcomes Them

Chicago Blocks Troops but New Orleans Welcomes Them

Chicago celebrates a court victory blocking federal troop deployments as New Orleans prepares for hundreds of National Guard members to enter the city for New Year’s Eve …
Cardi B.'s Clapback to Her Haters Over Stefon Diggs is <i>Peak</i> Cardi

Cardi B.’s Clapback to Her Haters Over Stefon Diggs is Peak Cardi

In true Cardi B fashion, her latest post is super funny. Unfortunately, not everybody is finding the humor in her situation with Stefon Diggs …
The Terrifying Reason a N.C. Amazon Driver and Her Son Were Shot At While Delivering Packages

The Terrifying Reason a N.C. Amazon Driver and Her Son Were Shot At While Delivering Packages

A North Carolina Amazon driver and her teen son were delivering packages when a homeowner allegedly shot at them with a shotgun …
The Bizarre Reason a Ga. Prison Guard Allegedly Held Welfare Workers Captive in Their Office

The Bizarre Reason a Ga. Prison Guard Allegedly Held Welfare Workers Captive in Their Office

A Georgia prison guard locked people up for a living, but now he’s accused of locking welfare workers in their building over this wild reason! …
Ryan Coogler's Newly Revealed Original 'Black Panther 2' Script is Mind-Blowing!

Ryan Coogler’s Newly Revealed Original ‘Black Panther 2’ Script is Mind-Blowing!

While ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ was good, the original script sounds like it would’ve slapped SO HARD. Let’s talk about it! …
New Development In The Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver-Classmate Saga

New Development In The Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver-Classmate Saga

Fawn Weaver isn’t done apologizing after the internet dragged her over that awkward interaction with her old schoolmate …
How Trump is Threatening to Erase the Legacies of World War II's Black Soldiers

How Trump is Threatening to Erase the Legacies of World War II’s Black Soldiers

After Trump’s anti-DEI policies rocked the nation, a WWII museum in Europe is facing backlash for removing Black soldiers’ memorials …
Do You Know Bobby Garnett, the Black Godfather of Vintage Fashion Who Inspired Ralph Lauren?

Do You Know Bobby Garnett, the Black Godfather of Vintage Fashion Who Inspired Ralph Lauren?

From high-end fashion designers to Hollywood costume designers, Bobby Garnett’s vintage clothing collection has had a major impact on the fashion industry …