The Fulton County district attorney has issued arrest warrants in the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks. DA Paul Howard said he is charging Officer Garrett Rolfe with 11 counts including felony murder and aggravated assault, criminal damage to property and violations to his oath of office.
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Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Sunday, June 14, 2020
NAACP STATEMENT ON UNJUST KILLING OF RAYSHARD BROOKS
27-year old Rayshard Brooks was killed by an Atlanta Police officer on the evening of Friday, June 12, 2020. In light of this development, the NAACP released the following statement:
From Derrick Johnson, President & CEO, NAACP:
“Our prayers go out to the family and friends of 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks of Atlanta, GA. It is unconscionable that a country still feeling the sting of the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, would be sitting here addressing another wound dealt to us by the those who have sworn to protect and serve. An oath or declaration from law-enforcement was once accompanied by confidence and expectation from the community. Sadly, that confidence has been marred under the stains of countless incidents in which deadly force by law-enforcement was resolved as the only resort, rather than the last resort. Rayshard Brooks did not deserve to die Friday night. The actions of the Atlanta Police Department underline a systemic issue that has plagued the Black community within this country for centuries. Until this nation is willing to address the systemic racism that has been allowed to manifest itself in police brutality, criminal justice, education, voting rights, economic wealth-gaps, and every other imaginable area that affords us an equal and sustainable life, America remains in breach of contract with the Black community.
As the NAACP’s Georgia State Conference and Atlanta Branches seek answers about the circumstances surrounding Rayshard Brooks’ death, the National office will remain vigilant until accountability and justice are served for the countless individuals who lose their lives to negligent and misguided police practices throughout the country. Even as we call for accountability by those charged with protecting the community, we call on the community to act–collectively and calmly until we secure justice for the family of Rayshard Brooks.
Police officer that killed Rayshard Brooks fired
Just after midnight on Sunday, an Atlanta Police spokesman confirmed that the officer involved in the deadly shooting of Rayshard Brooks has been fired. A second officer has been placed on administrative leave.
Officer Devin Brosnan has been placed on administrative duty and Officer Garrett Rolfe has been terminated. Brosnan has been with the department since Sept. 20, 2018, and Rolfe was hired on Oct. 24, 2013.
Police had been called to the scene after reports of a man asleep at the wheel in the Wendy's drive-thru. Officers said Brooks failed a field sobriety test. A struggle began when officers tried to take Brooks into custody.
Witnesses said Brooks took one officer's Taser and began to run away. That's when he was shot.