Breonna Taylor case: Breonna's Law passed to ban no-knock warrants

Breonna Taylor was killed as police executed a search warrant for her home.

June 12, 2020, 12:20 AM

The Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Council unanimously passed Breonna's Law -- named in honor of police-shooting victim Breonna Taylor -- on Thursday evening, outlawing "no-knock" warrants and requiring body cameras be turned on before and after every search.

Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman, was shot by Louisville police when they executed a no-knock warrant while she slept in her home on March 13.

The shooting took place when the home Taylor, a front-line health care worker, shared with her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, was raided by three plainclothes officers. Police said the no-knock warrant was related to drugs.

A standing ovation broke out on the council after the 26-0 vote Thursday. A crowd outside also applauded the decision.

"I'm proud to be a Louisvillian. This is probably the proudest moment I have had as a member of this council. So, it's a good day to be a Louisvillain. The entire world is watching us," District 1 Councilwoman Jessica Green told Louisville ABC affiliate WHAS after the vote.

Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, was elated after the vote.

"I know if Breonna was here today, she'd be looking down thinking I'm making history," Palmer said following the council meeting. "She just really cared about saving lives and so she'll get to continue to do that with Breonna's law. I know she'd be blessed. I'm blessed. I'm happy. It's a start."

The officers involved in the shooting were not wearing body cameras, although others in the department wore them. With the passing of Breonna's Law, police officers are now subject to punishment if they do not turn on body cameras five minutes before and after searches.

The detective who applied for the no-knock warrant that resulted in the police death of Breonna Taylor has now been reassigned, authorities said late Wednesday.

PHOTO: Breonna Taylor, 26, was shot and killed by Louisville, Kentucky, police officers after they allegedly executed a search warrant of the wrong home.
Breonna Taylor, 26, was shot and killed by Louisville, Kentucky, police officers after they allegedly executed a search warrant of the wrong home.
Breonna Taylor Family

Walker, 27, called 911 as shots rang out, and bullets were exchanged between the officers and Walker, a licensed gun owner, according to Sam Aguiar, an attorney for Taylor's family.

"Questions have been raised … about how and why the search warrant was approved," Louisville Metro acting Police Chief Robert Schroeder said at a news conference Wednesday. "As a result of those questions, I have placed Detective Joshua Jaynes, who applied for the warrant, on administrative reassignment until those questions can be answered."

No charges have been filed in connection with Taylor's death.

The officers who responded that night were previously reassigned.

ABC News' Matt Foster contributed to this report.

Related Topics