Key Moments in Breonna Taylor Case Since 2020 Fatal Police Shooting

A comprehensive look at the major developments in the Breonna Taylor case, from her death during a police raid in March 2020 to recent federal court decisions. The timeline shows years of legal battles, police reforms, and changing federal approaches under different presidential administrations.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A chronological review of significant developments following Breonna Taylor’s death, a Black woman fatally shot by Louisville police officers in her residence:

— March 13, 2020: Taylor dies when officers execute a drug-related search warrant at her apartment.

— March 13, hours afterward: Authorities announce Kenneth Walker’s detention for injuring an officer during a shootout; Taylor remains unnamed during the press briefing, referenced only as “an unresponsive woman who was later pronounced dead.”

— March-April 2020: Media coverage of the incident remains minimal as coronavirus concerns dominate national attention.

— April 27, 2020: Taylor’s relatives initiate a wrongful death claim against the police department and city officials, disputing the official account.

— May 22, 2020: Officials announce the dismissal of attempted murder accusations against Walker, who fired at officers inside his girlfriend’s residence.

— May 28, 2020: Walker’s distressed emergency call becomes public, occurring three days following George Floyd’s death by Minneapolis police, triggering major demonstrations in Louisville.

— May 29, 2020: Mayor Greg Fischer halts Louisville police’s no-knock warrant procedures.

— June 1, 2020: Fischer dismisses Police Chief Steve Conrad following officers’ failure to activate body cameras during the fatal shooting of barbecue vendor David McAtee amid Louisville demonstrations.

— June 11, 2020: Louisville Metro Council unanimously approves “Breonna’s Law,” prohibiting no-knock warrant usage.

— June 23, 2020: Officer Brett Hankison, among three officers who discharged weapons during Taylor’s death, loses his job for “blindly” shooting into Taylor’s residence.

— Sept. 15, 2020: Municipal authorities reveal a civil agreement granting Taylor’s relatives $12 million plus commitments for police department changes.

— Sept. 23, 2020: A Kentucky grand jury charges Hankison for firing into adjacent units, though no officers face charges directly related to Taylor’s death.

— April 26, 2021: Attorney General Merrick Garland reveals a Justice Department investigation into Louisville policing practices regarding Taylor’s death.

— March 3, 2022: Former Kentucky detective Brett Hankison receives acquittal on state charges for endangering residents when he fired into Taylor’s residence during the failed drug operation that caused Taylor’s death.

— Dec. 12, 2022: Walker resolves two legal actions against Louisville. Municipal officials agree to pay $2 million to settle Walker’s federal and state court cases.

— March 8, 2023: The U.S. Justice Department determines Louisville police demonstrated systematic constitutional violations and discrimination against Black residents following an inquiry triggered by Taylor’s death.

— Nov. 16, 2023: Jury members cannot reach consensus on federal civil rights accusations against Hankison, who faced charges in the police operation that killed Taylor. The judge declares a mistrial.

— Dec. 13, 2023: Federal attorneys inform a judge of their intention to pursue a second trial against Hankison.

— Aug. 23, 2024: A federal judge dismisses serious charges against two former Louisville officers, Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany, accused of creating false warrant information that brought police to Taylor’s residence before the fatal shooting.

— Oct. 1, 2024: Federal attorneys file fresh charges against Jaynes and Meany.

— Nov. 2, 2024: A federal jury finds Hankison guilty of excessive force against Taylor during the failed 2020 drug operation that resulted in her death. This marks the initial conviction of a Louisville officer involved in the deadly operation.

— Dec. 12, 2024: The Justice Department and Louisville reach a deal to overhaul the city’s police department following an investigation sparked by Taylor’s death.

— May 21, 2025: The Department of Justice, operating under President Donald Trump’s administration, acts to terminate the police reform deal with Louisville, along with a Minneapolis settlement and investigative conclusions regarding six additional police departments that President Joe Biden’s administration had charged with civil rights violations.

— July 21, 2025: A federal judge imposes a 33-month prison term on Hankison, rejecting a Department of Justice recommendation for no incarceration.

— Aug. 20, 2025: A federal judge dismisses serious charges in the updated indictment against Jaynes and Meany.

— Nov. 17, 2025: The Department of Justice contends before the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that Hankison should receive no prison sentence.

— Dec. 31, 2025: A federal judge rejects the proposed Louisville police reform deal with the Department of Justice.

— March 20, 2026: The Department of Justice submits a request to drop the criminal prosecution against Jaynes and Meany.