31-year-old Da'Quan Johnson Shot In The Back Of The Head By Grand Rapids Cop, K-9 Police Dog Also Attacked Victim Mauling At His Neck

Johnson was facing to the ground when a Grand Rapids police officer had a grip on both his hands, then the officer takes out his handgun, pointed it behind Johnson's head and discharged it and fatally striking the victim.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

February 21, 2026

Grand Rapids, Michigan - On Wednesday, January 18, 2026, around 9:30 p.m. Grand Rapids police fatally shot Da'Quan Johnson, 31, in the back of the head, according to a cellphone video showing the fatal shots. Johnson riding a bicycle was being pursuit by police units, he rode into a multiple unit apartment parking lot near Eastern Avenue and Logan Street in Grand Rapids.

While getting off his bike, Johnson slipped in the ice and soon after a K-9 police dog jumped on him and began to maul him in his neck. Then a two police officers are seen restraining him, one officer had  both of Johnson's hands behind him, the officer is seen holding Johnson's hands with his right hand, then the officer with his left hand upholstered his handgun and pointed it at Johnson's back of the head and fired his weapon striking Johnson. Then multiple shots are fired at Johnson's torso. The officers move back after shooting him, then the K-9, which was not restrained attacked Johnson again mauling at his neck.

Johnson was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased three hours later on early Thursday.

Johnson's family are calling for justice after viewing a cellphone video showing Johnson facing down on the ground and the officer shooting him in the back of the head and then the K-9 dog attacks Johnson and mauled his neck. The video shown at a family press conference, at the Boston Square Neighborhood Association contradicts the Grand Rapids police version of the fatal shooting.

The Grand Rapids police narrative is that Johnson had a handgun, he was ordered to drop the handgun, but when the K-9 dog first attacked Johnson, police told him not to move or he would be shot. How can Johnson not move when being mauled by a K-9 dog?

Witnesses say, that Johnson never pulled a handgun or aimed it at police. Johnson was shot three times by several police officers. He was recently parole after serving time in prison for a weapons violation. A handgun was recovered at the scene, according to Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstom.