The trial of a former police officer who fired stray bullets in the raid that left Breonna Taylor dead has been ruled a mistrial by a judge.
Ms Taylor was killed during a raid in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 13, 2020. At the time, the 26-year-old had been asleep when police conducted a no-knock raid and burst into her apartment.
Brett Hankison, 47, fired 10 shots through Ms Taylor's window and sliding glass door, fearing for the safety of his colleagues.
Although the shots did not hit anyone, Mr Hankison was charged with violating the rights of Ms Taylor and her boyfriend Kenneth Walker.
On Thursday, US District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings declared the mistrial after the jury told her they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Mr Hankison's attorney argued he believed his colleagues were in danger due to gunfire coming from inside the apartment.
"I had to react," Mr Hankison testified, according to the Associated Press. "I had no choice."
He was acquitted by a state court last year in a separate trial, in which he was accused of putting Ms Taylor's neighbours' in danger by firing his weapon.
Federal prosecutors must now decide if they will try Hankison again.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said in a written statement that the department "is actively considering all of our available options."
Aside from Hankison, federal prosecutors last year charged three other former Louisville police officers for what they said were their roles in knowingly including false information in an affidavit that convinced a judge to approve the warrant that led to the raid on Taylor's apartment.
One of the other officers charged - Kelly Goodlett - pleaded guilty last year. The other two officers - Joshua Jaynes and current Sergeant Kyle Meany - are awaiting trial in federal court.
