Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Breonna Taylor Shooting Ruled Justified, Officer Charged for Shots into Other Apartments

Cameron explained to the press and to a live TV audience that Mattingly and Cosgrove could not be charged with a crime over Taylor's death because they fired back at Walker in self-defense.

September 23, 2020
Breonna Taylor Shooting Ruled Justified, Officer Charged for Shots into Other Apartments

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron gives a statement on the findings of the grand jury and his office's investigation into the shooting of Breonna Taylor. (Photo: WLKY Screen Shot)

3 min to read


A Kentucky grand jury has ruled that the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor was justified because officers were returning fire after being shot at by a man in her apartment. One of the officers at the scene was charged with wanton endangerment because of shots fired into other occupied apartments.

Kentucky Attorney General gave a statement at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. He said the shooting was "tragic" but legally it was justified as self-defense.

Ad Loading...

Much of what was presented by Cameron during the press conference contradicted media reports about the fatal shooting of Taylor, 26, during service of a drug investigation warrant on March 13.

Despite media reports that officers used a no-knock approach to serving the warrant, Cameron said a citizen witness told investigators that Louisville Metro Police officers did identify themselves before breaching the door. "This was not a no-knock warrant," Cameron said.

Cameron said that only one officer, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly actually entered the apartment during the incident. Once the door was breached Mattingly reportedly saw a man and a woman—Breonna Taylor—standing at the end of the hall. The man—identified by authorities as Taylor's boyfriend Kenneth Walker—raised a handgun and fired one round at Mattingly. Mattingly was hit in the thigh, Cameron said.

Mattingly and Det. Myles Cosgrove returned fire. Mattingly fired six shots and Cosgrove fired 16.

The attorney general did not say what Taylor did when the shooting started, but she was hit six times, he said. One of the shots was fatal.

Ad Loading...

Cameron said that the Kentucky State Police crime lab could not conclusively determine which officer fired the fatal shot. The evidence was also sent to the FBI crime lab in Quantico, VA. The FBI determined that Cosgrove fired the fatal shot.

Cameron explained to the press and to a live TV audience that Mattingly and Cosgrove could not be charged with a crime over Taylor's death because they fired back at Walker in self-defense.

Former Det. Hankinson, who was fired in June, was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment—a Class D felony in Kentucky—because three of the 10 rounds he fired from outside of the building went through Taylor's apartment and into surrounding occupied apartments. He faces up to five years of prison for each count, if convicted. Cameron said. There is no conclusive evidence that any of Hankinson's shots hit Taylor.

Cameron said the investigation into the Taylor shooting involved thousands of hours of labor by a "dedicated team of prosecutors and investigators." The team, led by the attorney general, had more than 200 years of total experience. 

Cameron said that he would soon be leading a task force to review warrant procedures in the state.

Ad Loading...

"I know that not everyone will be satisfied with this finding," Cameron said as he ended his prepared statement.

As he spoke WLKY showed a split-screen video of the attorney general addressing the press and public and crowds gathering in downtown Louisville.

Earlier this week, the city declared a state of emergency. Police were put on alert. Government buildings were secured. And some businesses were boarded up.

"Peaceful protest is your right, violence is not," Cameron said, addressing the protesters.

He added that he wanted the people of Kentucky to "continue to support the men and women of law enforcement."

Ad Loading...

In closing, Cameron said, "In a world forcing each of us to pick a side, I choose the side of justice."

More Patrol

POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips video series graphic featuring a Garmont Tactical Contact Collection duty boot against a police vehicle with flashing lights. Includes “Watch Now” callout for the video series.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJuly 9, 2026

Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement

Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.

Read More →
Benchmade Bailout folding knife with a bronze tanto blade, taiga green handle, and orange accents displayed open against a textured black background, highlighting its lightweight tactical design.
PatrolJuly 9, 2026

Benchmade Launches Taiga Green Bailout

Benchmade has launched its Taiga Green Bailout, which features an anodized aluminum handle, S90V stainless steel, and Burnt Copper hardware accents.

Read More →
Composite image of ADEPT's Nova Titanium tactical helmet, showing front and side views alongside a soldier wearing the helmet in the field, highlighting lightweight ballistic protection for military and tactical applications.
PatrolJuly 9, 2026

Adept Armor Launches the Nova Titanium Combat Helmet: A Metal Ballistic Helmet at Composite-Helmet Weight

Adept Armor said its new Nova Titanium combat helmet delivers rated 9mm protection at 920 grams all-in, low backface deformation, edge-to-edge coverage, and an indefinite shelf life at roughly a quarter the price of premium polyethylene helmets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two healthcare professionals model 5.11 medical scrubs—one in gray and one in blue—against a blurred hospital background, highlighting the brand’s professional apparel for medical workers.
PatrolJuly 2, 2026

5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals

The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.

Read More →
Close-up of a black SOG Seal FX knife featuring a commemorative 250th anniversary engraving on the blade, displayed on an American flag to honor the United States' semiquincentennial.
PatrolJuly 2, 2026

SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade

SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.

Read More →
Close-up of a slim black Streamlight Wedge SL flashlight resting on an olive tactical vest with a black-and-gray American flag patch, its LED illuminated to showcase the compact everyday carry design.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJune 25, 2026

POLICE Product Test: Streamlight Wedge SL

The Streamlight Wedge SL is a high-performance light for inspection or administrative tasks that features USB-C charging and an output up to 500 lumens in a compact package.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic recognizing Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose (CA) Police Department as Officer of the Month for May 2026, featuring his uniformed portrait beside a badge-and-rose emblem.
PatrolJune 25, 2026

NLEOMF Officer of the Month Saved Child from Burning Vehicle

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund named Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose Police Department (California) as the Officer of the Month for May 2026. Read more about Jaycox’s heroic actions.

Read More →
Promotional image for Garmont Tactical’s Contact Collection featuring black tactical boots displayed in front of a police vehicle with flashing red and blue emergency lights. Text announces the new collection and notes it is now available.
PatrolJune 24, 2026

Garmont Tactical Introduces the Contact Collection for LE

Garmont Tactical has launched its Contact Collection, a new lineup of law-enforcement duty boots featuring 4-inch and 6-inch options, including waterproof models.

Read More →
Graphic celebrating 1,613 Folds of Honor graduates, featuring graduation books, a diploma, a mortarboard cap, the Folds of Honor logo, and an inset photo of a graduate standing in front of a campus building.
PatrolJune 11, 2026

Folds of Honor Celebrates Graduation Season as 1,613 Military and First Responder Family Scholars Earn Their Degrees

Every Folds of Honor scholar graduating in the Class of 2026 carries a story starting with sacrifice. Folds of Honor ensures it doesn’t end there. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic for a POLICE Magazine article on Tennessee’s new deadly force law, featuring Lady Justice, handcuffs, a Tennessee map with Nashville highlighted, and the headline “Impact of New Deadly Force Law.”
Patrolby David StephensJune 4, 2026

Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee

Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.

Read More →