AG Cameron’s claim that Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend shot cop unsupported by ballistics

Cameron initially told reporters that the investigation into Taylor's death ruled out 'friendly fire' from fellow officer

Renee G

Sep 27, 2020

The ballistics report provided by the Kentucky State Police does not support Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s claim that Breonna Taylor‘s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker shot a Louisville police officer the night she was killed.

Cameron told reporters that the investigation into Taylor’s March 13th death ruled out “friendly fire” from former officer, Brett Hankison, who stood outside, blindly shooting ten rounds into Taylor’s apartment.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron speaks during a press conference to announce a grand jury’s decision to indict one of three Louisville Metro Police Department officers involved in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor on September 23, 2020 in Frankfort, Kentucky. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

Cameron asserted that Hankison did not fire the shot that went through Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly‘s thigh, prompting him and Officer Miles Cosgrove to return fire, killing Taylor.

The KSP report stated that “due to comparative marking of limited value” the 9-mm bullet that entered and exited Mattingly was “neither identified nor eliminated as having been fired” from Walker’s gun.

According to the Courier-Journal Cameron said Hankison had been eliminated as the shooter because he and the other two officers were all carrying .40 caliber handguns while Walker was in possession of a 9.

But Steve Romines, one of Walker’s attorneys, appeared on CNN later Wednesday night and contradicted Cameron’s statement when he revealed he had proof from a Louisville Metro Police Department record that Hankison had been issued a 9-mm weapon as well as the .40 caliber handgun.

Kentucky AG Cameron: “FBI ballistics analysis concluded the fatal shot was fired by Detective Cosgrove."

Cosgrove and Mattingly have not been charged in relation to the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor. pic.twitter.com/D1co7mlMYc
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 23, 2020

Romines declined to share Hankison’s personnel file with the Courier-Journal. The outlet filed a request to receive a copy of Hankison’s file, but the department has not responded.

Rob Eggert, another attorney for Walker provided the ballistic report that was initially reported by Vice.

As part of a narcotics investigation, police were attempting to serve a “no-knock” search warrant at Taylor’s home during the early hours of March 13.

Walker has admitted to firing a single warning shot from his Glock handgun because he thought intruders were breaking in.

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