More than two years after the death of African American woman Breonna Taylor, federal charges have been filed against four former and current police officers in Louisville, Kentucky.
Three defendants are accused of obtaining a search warrant for Taylor's home on the basis of false information, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in Washington on Thursday.
The fourth defendant is accused of using excessive force in the operation in which Taylor was shot dead in her home.
This former police officer was acquitted by a local court in March.
So far, he was the only police officer involved in the operation who had to answer in court - not because of Taylor's death, but because of endangering other residents of the house.
Taylor was shot dead by police at her home in March 2020.
Like George Floyd, the name of the 26-year-old black paramedic became a symbol of the movement against racism and police violence.
The fact that nobody was held accountable in connection with the death of the 26-year-old caused outrage and protests.
Garland said Thursday three members of the investigative unit were accused of violating Taylor's civil rights and ultimately causing her death by providing false information for the search warrant.
The fourth defendant was accused of violating civil rights "as he is said to have intentionally used excessive force unconstitutionally in his professional capacity as a civil servant".
According to earlier investigations, police officers armed with a search warrant broke into Taylor's home at night when they received no answer to her knock.
Inside the apartment, Taylor's friend is said to have shot first, injuring one of the officers in the leg.
The friend later stated that he mistook the police for burglars.
Officers returned fire, hitting the unarmed Breonna Taylor at least five times, officials said.
According to US media reports, they were looking for Taylor's ex-boyfriend, who was not present.