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Protests erupt around the nation after Breonna Taylor grand jury decision in Kentucky

'We demand justice'—Protests erupt across the U.S. over Breonna Taylor grand jury verdict
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'We demand justice'—Protests erupt across the U.S. over Breonna Taylor grand jury verdict

Protests erupted in Louisville and around the nation after a Kentucky grand jury brought no direct charges against police officers in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor.

In Taylor's hometown, two Louisville police officers were shot and wounded Wednesday night. A suspect was in custody, according to interim Louisville Police Chief Robert Schroeder, who did not say whether that person was participating in the protests. Both officers are expected to recover, authorities said.

Hours earlier, prosecutors said two officers who fired their weapons at Taylor were justified in using force to protect themselves after they faced gunfire from her boyfriend. The only charges were three counts of wanton endangerment against fired Officer Brett Hankison for shooting into the residence of the Black woman's neighbors.

Taylor, who was an emergency medical worker, was at home with her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, on the evening of March 13 when officers raided the residence and fired multiple shots. Police were executing a search warrant for drugs or money related to an investigation involving Taylor's former boyfriend.

Police said they fired shots after they were shot at as they went into the house. Taylor's relatives said Walker fired to defend himself because he believed someone was breaking into the house.

Demonstrators on Wednesday chanted Taylor's name and marched in cities including New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Portland, Oregon. Here are some scenes from the protests.

Demonstrators react to grand jury decision not to charge officers involved in Breonna Taylor death

Carlos Barria | Reuters

A demonstrator confronts police in Louisville 

Protest in Louisville

Bryan Woolston | Reuters

Demonstrators express anger of grand jury decision not to charge officers

Protesters march in Louisville, Kentucky.
Ben Hendren | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

National Guard deployed in Louisville 

A member of the National Guard patrols the section of a downtown in Louisville, KY.
Carlos Barria | Reuters

Police arrest protesters in Louisville

Bryan Woolston | Reuters

A protester is restrained by police in Louisville

Riot police arrest protesters in Louisville, Kentucky.
Ben Hendren | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Demonstrators react to the grand jury decision

A woman crying as police detains demonstrators during a protest after a decision in the criminal case against police officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor.
Lawrence Bryant | Reuters

FBI SWAT responds to the shooting of two Louisville police officers

FBI agents patrol near the site where two police officers were shot in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, on September 23, 2020.
Jeff Dean | AFP | Getty Images

Protests erupt in Chicago

Protesters carried signs in support of arresting the cops that killed Breonna Taylor in Chicago.
Natasha Moustache | Getty Images

New York demonstrators take to the streets in protest

Thousands of Breonna Taylor protestors marched after no officers charged directly with Breonna Taylor's death by Louisville court in New York City.
Tayfun Coskun | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Protestors chant Breonna Taylor's name in Los Angeles

Protesters kneel as they demonstrate in Los Angeles, on September 23, 2020.
Apu Gomes | AFP | Getty Images

In Portland, a drum line played in rhythm with chants of 'Whose life mattered? Breonna Taylor'

A protester walks toward Portland police with a sign honoring Breonna Taylor in Portland, OR.
Nathan Howard | Getty Images

Demonstrators protest near the National Mall in Washington

Demonstrators march near the White House.
Drew Angerer | Getty Images

Hundreds in Denver protest police violence

People protest the grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case in front of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver.
Michael Ciaglo | Getty Images

A demonstrator is arrested in Louisville

The shadow of a Louisville Police officers arresting a demonstrator is seen on a wall in Louisville, Kentucky.
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images

The Associated Press contributed to this report.