Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Shynia Jones
Age : 18
Gender : Female
Race : Black
Date : 04/21/2021
Location : 2400 block S. Division Avenue
City : Grand Rapids
County : Kent
State : Michigan
Agency : Wyoming Department of Public Safety
Officer(s) :Unknown
Cause of Death : Vehicle
Event : Driver killed by police chase crash
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
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REASON FOR CHASE: Mistaken for stolen vehicle
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NARRATIVE:
On 04/21/2021, Shynia Jones, 18, of Grand Rapids was driving south on Division Avenue when a Wyoming Department of Public Safety officer saw her vehicle near 44th Street. The car had no license plate and police believed it matched the description of a vehicle reported stolen earlier that night. The officer attempted to stop Jones, but she continued south and ran a red light at Division Avenue and 36th Street at high speed. Police subsequently determined that Jones's vehicle was not the stolen vehicle they were looking for.
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Jones temporarily eluded police. Another Wyoming officer subsequently encountered the vehicle farther north on Division Avenue and followed it as it traveled at approximately 80 to 90 mph. Police reported that the officer discontinued the pursuit shortly before the fatal crash.
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Near Division Avenue and Alger Street, Jones's vehicle collided with another vehicle, struck the boulevard median at high speed, became airborne and went out of control before crashing into a light pole. Jones was ejected. Emergency personnel attempted lifesaving measures, but she died from her injuries.
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Police acknowledged after investigating the crash that the vehicle they had pursued was not stolen. Authorities did not establish why Jones drove away from the attempted traffic stop.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety did not publicly identify the officers involved in the attempted stop and pursuit.
