Stars Seek Justice in Breonna Taylor’s Killing on Her 27th Birthday

Breonna Taylor would have celebrated her 27th birthday today.

In March, Taylor died after being shot eight times by police officers who broke into her apartment as part of an attempted drug sting in Louisville, Kentucky.

According to the police department, the officers announced themselves before breaking in and started shooting after they were “met by gunfire” from Taylor's boyfriend Kenneth Walker, who has a license to carry a firearm.

None of the police officers were wearing body cameras.

Taylor's family sued the police department, alleging that the officers didn't knock at all. The wrongful-death lawsuit claimed, “The officers then entered Breonna's home without knocking and without announcing themselves as police officers. The Defendants then proceeded to spray gunfire into the residence with a total disregard for the value of human life."

The lawsuit added, “[Walker and Taylor] believed the home had been broken into by criminals and that they were in significant, imminent danger."

The FBI has opened an investigation into Taylor's killing. In a statement, FBI special agent Robert Brown said, “The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence and will ensure that the investigation is conducted in a fair, thorough and impartial manner."

Using Breonna's birthday, many celebrities are fighting for justice in her killing; the three police officers involved have never been arrested or charged.

Selena Gomez wrote, “Breonna Taylor would've been 27 years old today. The same age I am. But she was shot 8 times. Please join me in signing this petition and let's get #JusticeForBreonnaTaylor.”

Cardi B tweeted, “Happy Birthday #BreonnaTaylor .She looks so pretty and fine in this pic.Her story it's so sad and unfair and it almost didn't get picked up by the media.Kentuky police department really tried to sweep her case under the rug,but got is BIG.The fight ain't over till you get justice.”

John Legend paid tribute to the EMT in an essay for Entertainment Weekly. He shared, “She had planned on becoming a nurse and dreamed of being a wife and mother. She was on her path. Now is the time for us to join together and emphatically SAY HER NAME.”

Explaining the meaning of the phrase, John said, “Black women created this call to action because we continue to wrongly talk about the generations-long crisis of police and vigilante violence in a gendered way, as if it only happens to Black men. On Breonna's 27th birthday, I say her name and the names of Eleanor Bumpers, Atatiana Jefferson, Nina Pop, Aiyana Jones, Sandra Bland, Korryn Gaines, Pamela Turner, Tyisha Miller, Miriam Carey, Chynal Lindsey, Shelly Frey, Darnisha Harris, and too many more. I'm sending more than my thoughts and love and prayers to Breonna Taylor's family.”

One day after her husband Kanye West donated $2 million to organizations fighting racism, Kim Kardashian tweeted, “Honor this #BirthdayForBreonna by visiting justiceforbreonna.org on more ways to help her case.”

Mandy Moore wrote on Instagram, “It has been 84 days and those responsible for her murder have NOT been held accountable in any way, shape or form. Just because there isn't a video doesn't mean that we can turn a blind eye and forget or move on."

See more reactions below.

There have been nationwide protests seeking justice for Breonna, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and other victims.