Louisville police officer involved in Breonna Taylor case says shooting had 'nothing to do with race’

Jessica Schladebeck

A Louisville police officer involved in the March raid during which Breonna Taylor was killed said in his first interview since the incident that it had “nothing to do with race.”

“This is not relatable to George Floyd. This is nothing like that,” Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly told ABC News and the Louisville Courier Journal.

“It’s not Ahmaud Arbery. It’s nothing like it. These are two totally different types of incidences. It’s not a race thing like people wanna try to make it to be. It’s not."

Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was asleep in bed with her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, when Mattingly and two other officers, Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove, burst into her home around 12:40 a.m. on March 13.

She was shot six times during the botched narcotics raid, which did not turn up any evidence of drugs in the Louisville home. Mattingly, a 20-year veteran of the Louisville Metro Police Department, was also struck when Walker fired off his weapon, thinking he and his girlfriend were being robbed.

Breonna Taylor
Breonna Taylor


Breonna Taylor

Taylor’s death sparked months of protests in Louisville, which have only been further fueled by a lack of charges in her killing.

A grand jury last month indicted Hankison on wanton endangerment charges for allegedly firing shots that penetrated a wall and entered a nearby apartment. He pleaded not guilty and has also since been fired from the police force.

The death of George Floyd in May ignited a wave of demonstrations across the country, demanding systemic change and justice in the case. The 46-year-old died in Minneapolis on Memorial Day after an officer knelt down on his neck for an extended period of time.

The officer, Derek Chauvin, has been charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Floyd’s killing also sparked a renewed interest in Taylor’s case as well as in the February death of Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, who was shot and killed while jogging in Georgia. Gregory and Travis McMichael, a white father and son, were charged in May with murder.

“This is a point where we were doing our job, we gave too much time when we go in, I get shot, we returned fire,” Mattingly said in the interview.

“This is not us going, hunting somebody down. This is not kneeling on a neck. It’s nothing like that.”

A demonstrator holding a cross gestures in front of a police line on a third day of protest over the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor, in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sept. 25, 2020. The family of Breonna Taylor demanded on Friday that US authorities release grand jury transcripts showing why no police will face direct criminal charges over her death.
University of Georgia students take a moment of silence for Breonna Taylor at the UGA chapel after marching through downtown during a Black Lives Matter protest in Athens, Ga. on Sept. 25, 2020.
University of Georgia students take a moment of silence for Breonna Taylor at the UGA chapel after marching through downtown during a Black Lives Matter protest in Athens, Ga. on Sept. 25, 2020.
People participate in a march lead by the University of Louisville's Men's basketball team calling for justice for Breonna Taylor on Sept. 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky.
People participate in a march lead by the University of Louisville's Men's basketball team calling for justice for Breonna Taylor on Sept. 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Passersby raise their fists in solidarity during a demonstration for Breonna Taylor on Sept. 25, 2020, in Louisville.
Passersby raise their fists in solidarity during a demonstration for Breonna Taylor on Sept. 25, 2020, in Louisville.
Bianca Austin, the aunt of Breonna Taylor, speaks at a news conference at Jefferson Square Park on Sept. 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. The news conference addressed Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron's handling of the Breonna Taylor case and the grand jury verdict indicting one of three officers involved in her death.
Bianca Austin, the aunt of Breonna Taylor, speaks at a news conference at Jefferson Square Park on Sept. 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. The news conference addressed Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron's handling of the Breonna Taylor case and the grand jury verdict indicting one of three officers involved in her death.
Religious leaders from around the city gather at a press conference in front of First Unitarian Church on Sept. 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Leaders discussed the unrest and incident the previous night where police surrounded the church and threatened to detain anyone who attempted to exit the perimeter.
Religious leaders from around the city gather at a press conference in front of First Unitarian Church on Sept. 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Leaders discussed the unrest and incident the previous night where police surrounded the church and threatened to detain anyone who attempted to exit the perimeter.
University of Georgia students march in front of the Holmes-Hunter building on the campus during a Black Lives Matter march in memory of Breonna Taylor in Athens, Ga. on Sept. 25, 2020.
University of Georgia students march in front of the Holmes-Hunter building on the campus during a Black Lives Matter march in memory of Breonna Taylor in Athens, Ga. on Sept. 25, 2020.
Demonstrators pose for a photo in front of a local restaurant in the NULU neighborhood on a third day of protest over the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor and the result of a grand jury inquiry, in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sept. 25, 2020.
Demonstrators pose for a photo in front of a local restaurant in the NULU neighborhood on a third day of protest over the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor and the result of a grand jury inquiry, in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sept. 25, 2020.
Los Angeles County Sheriff officers disperse demonstrators protesting over the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor in West Hollywood, California on Sept. 25, 2020.
Los Angeles County Sheriff officers disperse demonstrators protesting over the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor in West Hollywood, California on Sept. 25, 2020.
People participate in a march lead by the University of Louisville's Men's basketball team calling for justice for Breonna Taylor on Sept. 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky.
People participate in a march lead by the University of Louisville's Men's basketball team calling for justice for Breonna Taylor on Sept. 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky.
People participate in a march lead by the University of Louisville's Men's basketball team calling for justice for Breonna Taylor on Sept. 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky.
People participate in a march lead by the University of Louisville's Men's basketball team calling for justice for Breonna Taylor on Sept. 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Black Lives Matter protesters march in honor of Breonna Taylor's life on Sept. 25, 2020, in Louisville.
Black Lives Matter protesters march in honor of Breonna Taylor's life on Sept. 25, 2020, in Louisville.
Demonstrators march through the streets of Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 24, 2020. A Kentucky grand jury indicted one police officer involved in the shooting of Breonna Taylor with three counts of wanton endangerment. No officers were indicted on charges in connection to Taylor's death.
Demonstrators march through the streets of Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 24, 2020. A Kentucky grand jury indicted one police officer involved in the shooting of Breonna Taylor with three counts of wanton endangerment. No officers were indicted on charges in connection to Taylor's death.
Protesters face off with police officers outside of the First Unitarin Church of Louisville during a demonstration in downtown Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 24, 2020. More than 1,000 people disregarded a second night of curfew in Louisville to protest over the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor, with some seeking refuge in a church.
Brother Tim of the First Unitarian Church of Louisville, speaks to Louisville Metro Police officers in downtown Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 24, 2020.
Brother Tim of the First Unitarian Church of Louisville, speaks to Louisville Metro Police officers in downtown Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 24, 2020.
Protesters hold candles during a protest on Interstate 64 on Sept. 24, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri.
Protesters hold candles during a protest on Interstate 64 on Sept. 24, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri.
People listen to a speaker at a Black Lives Matters (BLM) protest in a park in Brooklyn on Sept. 24, 2020 in New York City.
People listen to a speaker at a Black Lives Matters (BLM) protest in a park in Brooklyn on Sept. 24, 2020 in New York City.
Protesters block Interstate 64 during a protest action on Sept. 24, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri.
Protesters block Interstate 64 during a protest action on Sept. 24, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri.
A woman holds a sign as protesters block traffic during a protest action on Sept. 24, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri.
A woman holds a sign as protesters block traffic during a protest action on Sept. 24, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri.
Supporters pose for a photo on the steps of the Louisville Metro Hall as they raise their fists in protest of the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor, in downtown Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 24, 2020.
Supporters pose for a photo on the steps of the Louisville Metro Hall as they raise their fists in protest of the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor, in downtown Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 24, 2020.
A person takes a picture of a fence with the picture of Breonna Taylor and other victims of police brutality in Brooklyn on Sept. 24, 2020.
A person takes a picture of a fence with the picture of Breonna Taylor and other victims of police brutality in Brooklyn on Sept. 24, 2020.
A memorial sits at the site where Louisville Metro Police officers shot and killed Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 24, 2020.
A memorial sits at the site where Louisville Metro Police officers shot and killed Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 24, 2020.
Protesters light up their cell phones during a protest action on Interstate 64 on September 24, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri.
Protesters light up their cell phones during a protest action on Interstate 64 on September 24, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri.
Demonstrators march on the Williamsburg Bridge during a protest on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York, following a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Demonstrators march on the Williamsburg Bridge during a protest on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York, following a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Demonstrators gather at Barclays Center to protest the lack of arrests of police officers involved in Breonna Taylor's death on Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2020.
Demonstrators gather at Barclays Center to protest the lack of arrests of police officers involved in Breonna Taylor's death on Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2020.
People approach NYPD officers as they take part in a protest following a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 in New York.
People approach NYPD officers as they take part in a protest following a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 in New York.
Protesters march across the Manhattan Bridge on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York, following a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Protesters march across the Manhattan Bridge on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York, following a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Demonstrators gather at Barclays Center to protest the lack of arrests of police officers involved in Breonna Taylor's death on Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2020.
Demonstrators gather at Barclays Center to protest the lack of arrests of police officers involved in Breonna Taylor's death on Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2020.
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams joins protestors outside Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, after a Kentucky grand jury decided not to indict the cops involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor.
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams joins protestors outside Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, after a Kentucky grand jury decided not to indict the cops involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Protesters gather at Barclays Center on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, following a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Protesters gather at Barclays Center on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, following a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Demonstrators gather at Barclays Center to protest the lack of arrests of police officers involved in Breonna Taylor's death on Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2020.
Demonstrators gather at Barclays Center to protest the lack of arrests of police officers involved in Breonna Taylor's death on Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2020.
Demonstrators march during a protest on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York, following a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Demonstrators march during a protest on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in New York, following a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Demonstrators gather at Barclays Center to protest the lack of arrests of police officers involved in Breonna Taylor's death on Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2020.
Demonstrators gather at Barclays Center to protest the lack of arrests of police officers involved in Breonna Taylor's death on Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2020.
Demonstrators march on Flatbush Avenue from Barclays Center to the Manhattan Bridge calling for justice for Breonna Taylor on Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2020.
Demonstrators march on Flatbush Avenue from Barclays Center to the Manhattan Bridge calling for justice for Breonna Taylor on Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2020.
Protesters march past outdoor dining spaces of restaurants in New York late Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, following a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
Protesters march past outdoor dining spaces of restaurants in New York late Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, following a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor.
A fire burns in downtown on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
A fire burns in downtown on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
Police move after a Louisville Police officer was shot on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
Police ride on the back of a truck as they patrol the downtown area after a police officer was shot on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky.
Police ride on the back of a truck as they patrol the downtown area after a police officer was shot on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky.
Police stand guard on the perimeter of a crime scene after a police officer was shot on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
Protesters run after hearing gunfire on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A police officer was shot in the evening. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky.
Protesters run after hearing gunfire on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A police officer was shot in the evening. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky.
Louisville police detain a man after a group marched in protest over a lack of charges against Louisville police in Breonna Taylor's death on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. Prosecutors said two officers who fired their weapons at Taylor were justified in using force to protect themselves after they faced gunfire from her boyfriend.
Police detain a man during a protest on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
Protesters speak on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
Protesters speak on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
Police and protesters converge during a demonstration on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
Police and protesters clash on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
Police and protesters clash on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
Kentucky State Police stand in a line during a protest on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky.
Kentucky State Police stand in a line during a protest on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky.
Police detain protesters on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky.
Police detain protesters on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky.
Police detain protesters on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky.
Police detain protesters on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky.
Four wheeled military vehicles enter the city ahead of a 9:00 pm curfew, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
A woman reacts to news in the Breonna Taylor shooting on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky.
A woman reacts to news in the Breonna Taylor shooting on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky.
A woman reacts to news in the Breonna Taylor shooting, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
A woman reacts to news in the Breonna Taylor shooting on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
Protesters chant on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
Protesters chant on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.

During the wide-ranging interview, Mattingly also condemned city officials' failure to correct “false narratives” surrounding the case, including that Taylor was shot while she was in bed.

“It’s been excruciating,” he said.

“When you have the truth right there in your hands and everything else is getting crammed around you, it’s frustrating.”

Mattingly added that shooting an innocent person is every cops' biggest fear, saying that police officers always “want to be the one who is protecting.”

“She didn’t deserve to die,” he said. “She didn’t do anything to deserve a death sentence.”

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