GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Black Impact Collaborative held a community conversation for those who wanted to talk about Patrick Lyoya's shooting death.
Grand Rapids police released video footage on Wednesday that shows an officer shooting Lyoya in the head.
Clinicians and community leaders were at the Ottawa Hills High School auditorium Thursday evening to help people process the traumatic event.
Swahili and Kinyarwanda translators were also at the event.
3rd Ward Commissioner Nathaniel Moody said the goal was to discuss the case and offer mental health experts who could help process attendees' emotions.
“I want to make sure that we find ways for our community to heal,” says Moody. “A lot of people deal with stress differently; a lot of people deal with traumatic situations differently and we understand that. Everybody can be on different levels, but what’s important is as we deal with the mental health impact that’s taking place right now, we want to make sure that we have people in place that they can go and talk to.”
“Trauma is real and trauma does impact us in different ways,” says clinical therapist DeWanda Gichemi. “It can affect a person emotionally, physically, psychologically. Even though they may not be directly impacted, but the vicarious trauma, when you hear someone is hurt or harmed in any way ... one can play that thought in their mind.”
Gichemi acknowledges that healing does not happen overnight. “It’s not a quick fix," Gichemi says, "it’s a process, and again, individuals deal with trauma differently, but to allow the healing to take place is voicing it, acknowledging it, accepting that something did happen and begin to work through.”
How we got here:
Man shot, killed by officer during traffic stop in Grand Rapids
Man identified in Grand Rapids officer-involved shooting
Family demands answers, remembers life of man killed in GR officer-involved shooting
GRPD Chief on delaying release of video: this is not a cover-up
Kent County prosecutor: GRPD can share video of officer-involved shooting without his approval
‘I’m bleeding. I’m hurt:’ Father wants video of deadly officer-involved shooting released
Hundreds march against killing of Patrick Lyoya by a Grand Rapids police officer
Vigil for Patrick Lyoya, man who died after being shot by GR police officer
National and local leaders hold forum after Patrick Lyoya shot and killed by GR police officer
Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump calling for police video of Lyoya’s death to be released
Officer who killed Patrick Lyoya has not been interviewed 1 week after shooting
GR Mayor speaks after death of Patrick Lyoya, asks community to trust the process
Group plans to march to Grand Rapids City Commission meeting following shooting death of Patrick Lyoya
Multiple videos of deadly officer-involved shooting to be released
Barricade goes up outside Grand Rapids Police headquarters
Group marches to Grand Rapids City Commission meeting
People demand answers at GR City Commission meeting following Lyoya death
What we know ahead of GRPD 3 p.m. video release of Patrick Lyoya killing by officer
Kent County medical examiner releases statement regarding Patrick Lyoya's autopsy
Video footage shows GRPD officer shoot Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head
Protesters hold 4+ hour protest in downtown Grand Rapids following video release of Patrick Lyoya shooting death
NAACP says death of Patrick Lyoya ‘was just straight up murder’
Attorney: Officer who shot & killed Patrick Lyoya should be charged with homicide
