The single count of second-degree murder was filed against Grand Rapids policeman Christopher Schurr by Kent County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Becker.
Becker told reporters that the officer surrendered and is slated for arraignment on Friday. "This is not a message.," he said, adding "This is just based on the facts and making a decision in this case."
The shooting took place on April 4, when Schurr pulled Lyoya over for what the officer said was a license plate that did not match the vehicle's records. The stop was recorded in a video that the Grand Rapids Police Department has released.
Patrick Lyoya was a 26-year-old immigrant from the Democratic Republic of Congo. When he was stopped by the officer, who is white, he engaged in physical contact and was wrestled to the ground, as seen in video footage.
It was widely reported in April that at the moment of the shooting, Lyoya was facing away from the officer and on all fours.
His fatal wound was in the back of his head.
Schurr, who has been on administrative leave since April 12, could face up to life in prison with parole if convicted.