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Who is Larynzo Johnson? 26-year-old accused of shooting 2 cops during Breonna Taylor protests in Louisville

Johnson was charged with 'wanton endangerment and assault of a police officer'

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY: Nearly 100 arrests were made on Wednesday, September 23 amid violent demonstrations following a grand jury decision to charge only one officer involved in the no-knock police operation that killed Breonna Taylor, the Louisville Metro Police Department announced the following day. Meanwhile, authorities also identified a suspect who allegedly shot two Louisville police officers during the protests on September 23 — 26-year-old Larynzo Johnson — and charged him with "wanton endangerment and assault of a police officer." Johnson is scheduled to be arraigned before a judge on September 25, Fox News reported.

Louisville police officers were busy with crowd control operations at Broadway and Brook Street “in response to a large crowd that had set fires, caused property damage and failed to disperse after being warned" when shots rang out, per the post-arrest complaint filed in Jefferson County.

According to the complaint, Johnson “intentionally used a handgun to fire multiple bullets at officers" who were addressing the crowd. The bullets struck two officers and caused serious physical injury. Witnesses said they saw Johnson firing a handgun at the officers before fleeing the scene. Johnson was reportedly in possession of a handgun at the time of his arrest as well, as police obtained video of the shooting that showed the suspect open fire at the cops.

Some protesters were arrested after "damaging businesses" while some others were detained for "jumping on city vehicles being used as barricades," according to a police statement first obtained by The Associated Press. Protesters who defied orders to disperse were also arrested for "curfew and unlawful assembly violations." Some businesses, police said, were ransacked early September 24 — including a two City Gear stores and a pawn shop. In response to the violence, Mayor Greg Fischer had announced a curfew from 9.00 pm September 23 until 6.30 am on September 24. 

Interim Louisville Police Chief Robert Schroeder addressed the officer-involved shooting, noting that cops responded to calls about shots fired and a crowd gathering in the area at around 8.30 pm on September 23. As officers were deployed to the vicinity, shots rang out on First and Broadway and hit two of them. According to the report, the shooting took place about a half-hour before the aforementioned curfew went into effect. FBI Louisville, however, claimed the incident took place amid “First Amendment-protected peaceful demonstrations” and urged those with photos or videos from the scene to assist them via an online submission form.

While Schroeder refused to go into much detail about the injuries sustained by both officers, he said they were non-life-threatening. Both officers were being treated at University Hospital at the time of writing. One was undergoing surgery in stable condition while the other was alert and stable, per the police chief.

“I am very concerned about the safety of our officers,” Schroeder told a press conference. “Recently, we’ve had two officers shot and that is very serious, that is a very dangerous position. I think the safety of our officers and the community we serve is of the utmost importance.”

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump tweeted on September 23 in solidarity with the wounded cops. "Praying for the two police officers that were shot tonight in Louisville, Kentucky. The Federal Government stands behind you and is ready to help. Spoke to @GovAndyBeshear and we are prepared to work together, immediately upon request!" he wrote.