One of the police officers who shot Breonna Taylor is writing a book about it

A police officer involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor is writing a book about the incident.

Jonathan Mattingly, who was one of three officers who killed Taylor, is writing The Fight for Truth: The Inside Story Behind the Breonna Taylor Tragedy, which will be published by Tennessee-based Post Hill Press later this year.

Mattingly entered Taylor and Kenneth Walker’s home in a raid in March last year, alleging she had drugs. After Walker shot him in self-defence, not knowing he was a police offer, he and two other former detectives – Brett Hankison and Myles Cosgrove, shot and killed Taylor.

Cosgrove and Hankinson were both fired from their police department and Hankinson was indicted on three counts of wanton endangerment, for firing shots that went into Taylor’s neighbour’s apartment. Mattingly was cleared of all policy violations in September and still serves as a police officer.

Responding to the news, US publishing giant Simon & Schuster said they will not distribute the book.

Read more:

• 12-year-old schools grown man for flying racist Confederate flag from his house
• The 18 best memes and reactions as M&S declares war on Aldi over Colin the Caterpillar
• Elon Musk’s new Boring Company project roasted for being ‘just a tunnel’
• Neighbour’s note urging woman to dump ‘whiny’ boyfriend sparks domestic abuse debate
• Mother-in-law attempts to steal bride’s limelight at wedding

“Like much of the American public, earlier today Simon & Schuster learned of plans by distribution client Post Hill Press to publish a book by Jonathan Mattingly,” the publisher said.

“We have subsequently decided not to be involved in the distribution of this book.”

A petition urging the publisher to cancel the deal gained 44,000 signatures.

And people on social media were similarly outraged by the deal:

Kentucky State representative Attica Scott said:

Meanwhile, US police are donating to a fundraiser for Cosgrove, who fired the shot that killed Taylor. A GiveSendGo page – which is an alternative to GoFundMe – has raked in over $60,000.The Daily Dot has found that seven donors had ties to the Louisville Metro Police Department, where Cosgrove worked.

Post Hill Press specialises in “conservative politics”. It has published books by the controversial Republican congressman Matt Gaetz, and far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer.

In a statement, they said: “His [Mattingly’s] story is important and it deserves to be heard by the public at large. We feel strongly that an open dialogue is essential to shining a light on the challenging issues our country is facing.

We’re inclined to disagree.