Atlanta Police killing of Rayshard Brooks leads to officer’s firing and chief’s resignation

Rayshard Brooks was shot and killed by police on Friday, June 12, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Copyright 2020 by CNN - All rights reserved.)

CNN – A white Atlanta Police officer shot and killed a black man after an altercation on Friday night, sparking renewed protests in the city, the officer's firing and the police chief's resignation.

Rayshard Brooks, 27, was shot dead by an officer Friday night at a Wendy's drive-through in the city. Surveillance video and bystander video from the scene show that Brooks took an officer's Taser during an attempted arrest and then fired the Taser at the officers as he ran away. One officer then shot Brooks with his service weapon, authorities said.

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The killing, in the midst of nationwide protests calling to end racism and police violence against black people, had rapid repercussions.

Less than a day later, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she did not believe this was a justified use of deadly force.

"While there may be debate as to whether this was an appropriate use of deadly force, I firmly believe that there is a distinction between what you can do and what you should do," Bottoms said Saturday.

Bottoms also said that Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields, who has led the police since 2016, was stepping down.

"I have faith in the mayor, and it is time for the city to move forward and build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve," Shields said in a statement.

The officer who killed Brooks was terminated Saturday, police spokesman Carlos Campos said. He was identified by police as Garrett Rolfe. A second officer involved in the killing, identified as Devin Brosnan, was placed on administrative duty, Campos said.

Rolfe was hired in 2013 and Brosnan has been with the department since 2018, police said.


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