Joe Biden appears to side against cops cleared of killing Breonna Taylor - but tells rioters that 'violence is never acceptable'
Joe Biden released a statement questioning whether justice 'could be equally applied in America' after a grand jury declined to indict three officers involved in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor.
In a decision released on Wednesday, the grand jury indicted just one of the officers involved, Brett Hankison, with wanton endangerment for shooting recklessly at Taylor's neighbors.
In a statement issued last night, the former vice-president said: 'In the wake of her tragic death, we mourn with her mother, family, and community and ask ourselves whether justice could be equally applied in America.
Joe Biden released a statement questioning whether justice 'could be equally applied in America' after a grand jury declined to indict three officers involved in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor
Fired officer Brett Hankison (left) was indicted on three charges of wanton endangerment for the no-knock raid that killed 26-year-old Taylor (right) on March 13
'I know for so many people today's decision does not answer that call. A federal investigation remains ongoing, but we do not need to wait for the final judgment of that investigation to do more to deliver justice for Breonna.
'We know what is necessary. We need to start by addressing the use of excessive force, banning choke holds, and overhauling no-knock warrants.'
Biden ended the statement saying that 'violence is never acceptable'. He told reporters earlier in the day that 'it's totally inappropriate' for protests to turn into riots and that it would sully Taylor's memory.
In a tweet, Biden said: 'We must continue to speak Breonna Taylor's name, support her family still in grieving, and never give up on ensuring the full promise of America for every American.'
A Kentucky grand jury has brought no charges against Louisville police for the killing of Breonna Taylor during a drug raid gone wrong.
Prosecutors said Wednesday that two officers who fired their weapons at the Black woman were justified in using force to protect themselves.
Instead, the only charges brought by the grand jury were three counts of wanton endangerment against fired Officer Brett Hankison for shooting into Taylor's neighbors' homes.
Taylor was shot multiple times by officers who burst into her home on March 13 during a narcotics investigation.
Across the country, protesters have taken to the streets after the grand jurys decision to only charge one Louisville Metro Police officer in the raid in which Taylor was killed.
Police say two officers have been shot and wounded amid protests in Louisville, Kentucky.
Louisville: Protesters march in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 23, after a judge announced the charges brought by a grand jury against Detective Brett Hankison, one of three police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylo
Denver: Sheree Barbour holds her fist in the air as people protest the grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case on September 23
New York City: Members of Black Lives Matters are joined by hundreds of others during an evening protest against the Kentucky grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case outside of the Barclays Center on September 23
Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder spoke about the shootings Wednesday night and said a suspect is in custody. He said both officers were in stable condition and expected to recover, and that one of them was undergoing surgery.
He said the officers had gone to investigate reports of shots fired when they were hit by gunfire. Schroeder didn't identify officers of the suspect, or say whether the person in custody was taking part in the protests.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Chicago and various neighborhoods around the city to protest the lack of charges directly connected to Breonna Taylor's shooting death.
About 300 people gathered in Palmer Square Park on Chicago's northwest side before setting off on a march Wednesday evening, chanting Taylor's name. The march was monitored by police officers on bicycles. Other demonstrators gathered in downtown's Millennium Park chanting demands for justice as passing motorists on Michigan Avenue honked their horns.
Activist priest the Rev. Michael Pfleger told protesters gathered in the middle of an intersection that they should peacefully let those who represent the status quo know of their unhappiness with the Taylor decision.
'We're here tonight because we do care,' Pfleger said. 'And we're here because we want to say, `We object and we don't accept it. Somebody has to be held accountable.'
Protesters also gathered outside the Chicago Police Department headquarters.
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