Kansas City cop convicted, Colorado city settles in police killings of Black men


While many anti-racist and police reform activists saw the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict as a defeat for their cause, courts have delivered the movement two victories this week that received far less media attention.
Eric DeValkenaere, a former Kansas City police detective who fatally shot a Black man in 2019, was convicted Friday of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action, the Kansas City Star reported. DeValkenaere shot Cameron Lamb, who was unarmed at the time, in Lamb's backyard after a report of a car chase brought officers to the scene.
Journalist Matt Yglesias cited the court's decision as evidence that "efforts to demand more accountability are getting results."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The city of Aurora, Colorado, announced Thursday that it will pay a $15 million settlement to the family of Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man who died at the hands of police in 2019, the Washington Post reported.
Police accosted McClain, who was unarmed and on his way home, after receiving a report about a "sketchy" individual. McClain became agitated. Officers placed him in a chokehold, causing him to lose consciousness. Paramedics arrived and administered a large dose of ketamine, which may have contributed to McClain's death. The city has pledged to implement policing reforms, including unconscious bias training.
Three police officers and two paramedics still face criminal charges for their role in the incident. McClain's family is pursuing a federal civil rights lawsuit.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 4, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - deportation, Canadian politeness, and more
-
5 low approval cartoons about poll numbers
Cartoons Artists take on fake pollsters, shared disapproval, and more
-
Deepfakes and impostors: the brave new world of AI jobseeking
In The Spotlight More than 80% of large companies use AI in their hiring process, but increasingly job candidates are getting in on the act
-
Suspect charged after 11 die in Vancouver car attack
Speed Read Kai-Ji Adam Lo drove an SUV into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Day festival
-
Kenya arrests alleged ant smugglers
speed read Two young Belgians have been charged for attempting to smuggle ants out of the country to exotic pet buyers
-
Judge ends Eric Adams case, Trump leverage
Speed Read Federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams were dismissed, as requested by Trump's Justice Department
-
Texas arrests midwife on felony abortion charges
Speed Read Maria Margarita Rojas and an employee at one of her clinics are the first to be criminally charged under Texas' near-total abortion ban
-
South Carolina to execute prisoner by firing squad
speed read Death row inmate Brad Sigmon prefers the squad over the electric chair or lethal injection, his lawyer said
-
Mexico extradites 29 cartel figures amid US tariff threat
Speed Read The extradited suspects include Rafael Caro Quintero, long sought after killing a US narcotics agent
-
The Met police's stop and search overhaul
The Explainer More than 8,500 Londoners have helped put together a new charter for the controversial practice
-
Leonard Peltier released from prison
Speed Read The Native American activist convicted of killing two FBI agents had his life sentence commuted by former President Joe Biden