Who are Aubrey Gregory and Robinson Desroches? All about Louisville cops shot at during Breonna Taylor protests
Two Louisville Metro Police officers, who were shot in downtown Louisville during protests on Wednesday, September 23, night just eight hours after a grand jury decided not to charge any officer involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor, have been identified. Taylor was a Black medical worker who was shot dead by Louisville police officers on March 13, 2020, during a botched raid on her apartment.
During a press briefing on Thursday, September 24, Louisville Metro Police Department interim chief Robert Schroeder revealed the names of the two officers, Major Aubrey Gregory and officer Robinson Desroches. Schroeder further said that the two officers are “doing well and will survive their injuries”. Maj Gregory was shot in the hip and was treated and released from the hospital. Officer Desroches was shot in the abdomen and underwent surgery. The shootings occurred sometime before 8.30 pm on Wednesday at Brook Street and Broadway, a supervisor with MetroSafe told WDRB News. Schroeder said the officers were responding to South Brook and East College streets on reports of a shooting and a large crowd in the area when they were shot.
According to a report by Courier Journal, a 26-year-old Louisville man, Larynzo Johnson, was arrested near the scene minutes later and is facing two counts of first-degree assault of a police officer and additional counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, according to an arrest citation obtained on Thursday, September 24, morning. Schroeder said he's facing 14 counts of wanton endangerment, "all directed against police officers".
Who is Major Aubrey Gregory?
Major Gregory, who was shot in his hip during the Louisville protests, is the Commander of the Fifth Division. According to the official website of Louisville police, Maj Gregory joined the former Louisville Division of Police (LPD) in 1999. He served as a patrol officer in the former Second District and also as a detective in the Second Division. After being promoted to sergeant, Maj Gregory served in the Fourth Division. Once he was promoted to lieutenant, he served as a sector and platoon lieutenant in the Second Division. His last assignment was in Special Events. Maj Gregory holds a bachelor's degree in justice administration and a master's degree in the same subject from the University of Louisville. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute's (SPI) Officer's Course at the University of Louisville. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. During the press conference, Schroeder also said that Lt Col Josh Judah will take over duties usually assigned to Maj Gregory as the LMPD major fully recovers.
Maj Gregory who is now released from the hospital got a warm welcome on his return as WDRB Journalist, Kristen Shanahan, tweeted a video where people can be seen welcoming him back. In the tweet, she wrote, "LMPD Major Aubrey Gregory was welcomed with a round of applause when he walked into roll call today. This is less than 24 hours after he and another officer were shot during protests in #Louisville."
LMPD Major Aubrey Gregory was welcomed with a round of applause when he walked into roll call today. This is less than 24 hours after he and another officer were shot during protests in #Louisville. pic.twitter.com/YTpKCQk5bs
— Kristen Shanahan (@kshanahanWDRB) September 24, 2020
Who is Robinson Desroches?
Robinson Desroches is a Second Division officer who joined LMPD in March 2019. Desroches was shot in his abdomen after which he underwent surgery. Even though Maj Gregory was released from the hospital, Desroches is still stable and under observation. According to a report by Courier Journal, Desroches attended Butler High School in Louisville and was a member of the Kentucky Wesleyan University football team several years ago, playing defensive end for the Division II school in Owensboro.