On Thursday, September 24, Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 20-17, activating the Missouri National Guard as a precautionary measure in response to recent instances of riots across the country. The National Guard, as well as the Missouri State Highway Patrol, stands ready to assist local law enforcement if necessary.

*The National Guard stands ready to assist local law enforcement if necessary*

“We are saddened by recent acts of violence that have occurred in some cities across the nation,” Governor Parson said. “We fully support the right of citizens to peacefully protest and are committed to protecting that right. At this time, we are taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting Missouri and its people.”

Executive Order 20-17 declares that a state of emergency exists in Missouri due to civil unrest and calls on the Adjutant General, or his designee, to forthwith call and order into active service such portions of the National Guard as he deems necessary to aid executive officials of Missouri to protect life and property.

It is further ordered and directed that the Adjutant General or his designee, and through him, the commanding officer of any unit or other organization of the National Guard, to take such action and employ such equipment as may be necessary in support of civilian authorities and provide such assistance as may be authorized and directed by Governor Parson.

This round of riots around the country comes in the wake of a Kentucky Grand Jury decision in the March killing of Breonna Taylor. Taylor was shot while when Louisville, Kentucky Metro Police officers legally entered though front door while serving a warrant in a drug investigation.

Although widely reported that police entered without knocking, investigation and witness statements revealed that Police officers knocked for as long as 30-45 seconds on Taylor’s apartment door and announced their presence outside. Police opened fire only after Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired at the officers, wounding one of them.

There were other points which were widely reported by the media, that now, after the release of Grand Jury information, have been shown to be completely inaccurate.

The media claimed repeatedly that police were at the wrong apartment. The facts show that the search warrant for Taylor and her home explicitly identified her and her address. The Louisville police were not there by mistake. They believed that Taylor had ties to Jamarcus Glover, one of the main suspects in the investigation.

The media claimed repeatedly that Taylor was shot while she was asleep in bed. The facts show Taylor and Kenneth Walker were in bed when they heard the banging on the apartment door at approximately 12:40 a.m.,according to statements Walker made to police. They got out of bed before police entered, and Taylor died on her hallway floor.

The media claimed repeatedly that the officer who was shot was hit by friendly fire. The facts show that Walker has not disputed firing one round inside the apartment at what he thought were intruders. Despite claims the police sergeant was hit by friendly fire, the sergeant was struck by a 9mm round. None of his colleagues had a 9mm and none or their weapons could have fired a 9mm round.

The media claimed that Taylor works as an EMT. The fact is that Taylor joined the city as an EMT recruit in January 2016 and left the Metro Government in November 2016. There are conflicting reports regarding her dismissal, and as this is a personnel matter, this information may never be publicly released.

The Grand Jury determined that there is no evidence to support a criminal violation of state law caused Taylor’s death. The Grand Jury found that there was sufficient evidence to indict one officer, Detective Hankison, for wanton endangerment for firing his weapon outside a sliding glass door and through a bedroom window.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts and Jim Dickerson contributed to this story