LeBron James tweeted out a message about the Breonna Taylor case that triggered an interesting debate online.
The Los Angeles Lakers star has been getting increasingly involved in social justice matters, and his latest social media post is simply the most current example of that.
On Sunday, James tweeted out an article asserting that “a Kentucky State Police ballistics report does not support Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s assertion that Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, shot a Louisville police officer the night she was killed.”
‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ https://t.co/QA9F7lZ8Gm
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 27, 2020
The reactions began to pour in immediately.
Oh look, @KingJames sharing a biased story from an unreliable source to fit his narrative. That’s on brand for him.
— Deep at RB (@bellcowRB) September 27, 2020
Looks like a cover up #DanielJayCameron! How did @senatemajldr tell you to handle the part when the #truth gets exposed pic.twitter.com/uxrQH1VjSU
— The World As I Know It (@TheWorldAsIKno3) September 27, 2020
If those cops are Black i GUARANTEE u they are fired, charged, and behind bars
— 🤯 mari (@stupidassbot) September 27, 2020
Actually read the article. All it says is that they can’t completely 100% rule out that it was friendly fire that hit the officer because one of them also was issued a 9mm along with the 40 the article says he was carrying. Talk about misleading.
Her boyfriend still shot first.
— Warrior Son Of John (@JuS1aWeSoMeGuY) September 27, 2020
Unfortunately Bron, the boyfriend already testified under oath that he shot first. So this story is pretty stupid.
— GB (@geeebritt) September 27, 2020
From the evidence I saw, her boyfriend shot at the police first. True, he didn’t know that it was them at the time, despite police announcing their presence
— Matthew Getino (@MatthewGetino11) September 27, 2020
Speak GOAT speak
— 𝕄𝕖𝕥𝕔𝕒𝕝𝕗𝕊ℤℕ①④🥶 (3-0) (@SGAsWRLD) September 27, 2020
— Kevin Durant’s 8th Burner Account (@KingMoethe8th) September 27, 2020
Taylor’s case is one that has been referenced on multiple occasions by James and other athletes — most notably New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton — over the past few months.
The 26-year-old fell victim to a police shooting when officers attempted to execute a search warrant related to her ex-boyfriend.
Unfortunately, the ex-boyfriend was not on the premises at the time. Taylor’s current boyfriend, startled by the commotion, is said to have grabbed his firearm and shot at the police – not realizing who was at the door. They subsequently also fired – wounding him and killing Taylor in the process.
Fans deserve the truth. https://t.co/RiUv9jc7V4
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 28, 2020
Last week, a grand jury opted not to indict any officers for Taylor’s death.
Shortly after the grand jury’s decision, James took to Twitter to share his thoughts.
“I’ve been lost for words today,” he wrote last Wednesday.
“I’m devastated, hurt, sad, mad! We want Justice for Breonna yet justice was met for her neighbors apartment walls and not her beautiful life. Was I surprised at the verdict.
“Absolutely not but damnit I was & still am hurt and heavy hearted! I send my love to Breonna mother, family and friends! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!!”
Not surprising. https://t.co/WLcM4GhrSH
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 28, 2020
This past weekend, the Washington Football Team honored Taylor with their pre-game shirts.
The Lakers and Miami Heat will play Game 1 of the NBA Finals this coming Wednesday.
Based on how vocal James and other players have been about this case, it is probably a safe bet we will be hearing a lot of their takes on the matter between now and then.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
