US Sen. Tim Scott says he is disappointed by lack of charges in Breonna Taylor death

Republican U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina expressed disappointment Thursday over the lack of criminal charges stemming from the fatal police shooting of a Black woman named Breonna Taylor on March 13 in Louisville, Kentucky.

In a written statement emailed Thursday evening, Scott also said he is praying for two Louisville police officers who were shot during unrest Wednesday night after a grand jury indicted one of the three police officers involved in Taylor’s death on charges unrelated to her death.

Scott is one of only three Black U.S. senators and the only Black Republican senator.

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The situation in Louisville leaves me angry, sad, and frustrated,” Scott said in his statement.

“Breonna Taylor’s life must mean more than this. After months of heartache, I cannot imagine what her family is feeling today, but my prayers are with them. I am disappointed that the only charge brought was completely unrelated to Ms. Taylor’s death, especially when we know the initial police reports were falsified.”

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Scott said he will “continue to seek reforms to no knock warrants, but it is critical that states understand the federal role is limited.” 

“States and localities can ban no knock warrants in a way that would have prevented Breonna Taylor’s death, while the Constitution stops the federal government from doing so,” Scott said. “These sorts of reforms must start from the ground up.”

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Citing the shooting of two officers in Louisville on Wednesday night, Scott said, “There is no doubt that the events of 2020 have left our nation on edge, but we cannot push ourselves over the cliff. Make your voices heard, but do not equate violence with more violence.”

“Breonna Taylor’s life, and George Floyd’s and Ahmaud Arbery’s and Tamir Rice’s and Walter Scott’s and so many others, must be seen as a beacon for change, not a war cry for bloodshed,” Scott said. “Say their name and demand change… not destruction. Justice does not equal revenge.”