‘Violence is never the answer’: Biden condemns shooting of two police officers at protests over Breonna Taylor decision

Prosecutors on Wednesday announced no officer would be charged over killing of Taylor

The Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden, has condemned the shooting of two police officers at a protest in Louisville, Kentucky over the decision by prosecutors not to charge officers with the killing of Breonna Taylor.

"Even amidst the profound grief & anger today's decision generated, violence is never & can never be the answer," Mr Biden said in an early morning tweet on Thursday. 

"Those who engage in it must be held accountable. Jill & I are keeping the officers shot tonight in Louisville in our prayers. We wish them both a swift & full recovery," he added.

Two officers were shot in Louisville during unrest on Wednesday night after the Kentucky state attorney general, David Cameron, announced that no one would be charged with killing Taylor, a 26-year-old hospital worker.

One of three officers involved in Taylor’s shooting – Brett Hankinson – has been charged with first-degree "wanton endangerment" for firing rounds into a neighbouring house.  Sergeant John Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove, the two other officers, will not face charges, Mr Cameron said.

Ben Crump, a high-profile lawyer for the Taylor family, said the outcome was "outrageous and offensive".

President Trump, who has attempted to switch the focus of his re-election campaign to law and order as the US economy continues to tank amid the coronavirus pandemic, said he thought the grand jury's decision was "really brilliant".

Mr Trump, who has been accused of referring to dead army veterans as "losers", later said in a tweet that he was "praying" for the officers who were shot.

"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 Governor Andy Beshear and we are prepared to work together, immediately upon request!" he wrote.  Mr Trump later tweeted: “LAW & ORDER!”

Governor Beshear, a Democrat, urged Kentucky prosecutors to release the evidence that was presented to the grand jury. "I think having more of the facts out there so people can see, people can truly process it, is where we need to be," Mr Beshear told reporters.

Taylor's name has become a rallying cry for demonstrators protesting against police brutality and calling for an end to racial inequality. Protests have taken place in Lousiville – Kentucky's largest city – for 100 consecutive days and intensified after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May.

Demonstrations continued on Wednesday following the grand jury's decision, with activists demanding more serious charges against the officers involved. Protests also broke out in Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia and Washington. 

A state of emergency had been declared in Louisville ahead of the announcement. Members of the Kentucky national guard and state police were activated as protesters took to the streets and clashes erupted with officers in riot gear.

Shortly before 9pm ET, there were reports of gunfire near one of the marches. Two of the responding officers were shot and had non-life-threatening wounds, interim police chief Robert Schroeder told reporters. A suspect was in custody, he added.

Taylor, a hospital emergency room technician, was shot at least six times on 13 March by officers who entered her home using a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation. The warrant used was connected to a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside. The use of no-knock warrants has since been banned by Louisville's Metro Council.

Kenneth Walker, Taylor's boyfriend, told police he fired one round after the couple's door was broken down and Mr Mattingly entered. Mr Walker said he thought someone was breaking into the house and didn't know that it was police who were entering.

After Mr Walker fired, Mr Mattingly, Mr Hankison and the third officer, Mr Cosgrove, returned fire. In total, police fired 32 gunshots. Delivering the grand jury decision on Wednesday, Mr Cameron said the fatal bullet was fired by Mr Cosgrove, but added that Mr Cosgrove and Mr Mattingly were justified in the use of force because they were shot at first. Mr Cameron said state law “bars us from seeking charges in Breonna Taylor’s death”.