The Atlanta police chief resigned today and the mayor called for a police officer to be fired after a suspect was killed Friday night during a fight with officers.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says Rayshard Brooks, 27, was found asleep in a car in the drive-thru lane of a Wendy’s restaurant. Officers conducted a field sobriety test on the suspect, which he failed.
Instead of being taken into custody, Brooks resisted arrest and fought with police.
“During the arrest, the male subject resisted and a struggle ensued,” the GBI reported. “The officer deployed a Taser.”
Eyewitnesses report that during the struggle the suspect grabbed the other officer’s Taser and was able to escape.
Video shows the officers pursuing the suspect through the parking lot. During the chase, the suspect turned around and pointed the Taser at one of the officers. That officer opened fire – hitting Brooks. He died at a nearby hospital.
Surveillance video of the chase is posted below. The entire incident happened within a span of three seconds.
The Atlanta mayor basically told police officers they no longer have the right to defend themselves – and if they try to – they will be fired.
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) June 13, 2020
The NAACP called on Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields to step down – which she did on Saturday.
“This was her decision to step aside as police chief,” Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said at a press conference.
Bottoms also announced that the officer who fired the shot should be fired.
“I do not believe this was a justified use of deadly force,” the mayor said.
Now, that’s puzzling because the incident is under investigation and video clearly shows the suspect pointing a weapon at the officer. Doesn’t the officer have a right to defend himself?
The mayor seems to believe that police officers don’t have a right to defend themselves when they are attacked by suspects.
Our prayers are with the police officers and their families as well as those of the suspect.
The reality is that if the suspect had followed the instructions of the officers he would still be alive.
GBI released video that shows the moment Rayshard Brooks was shot and killed by an Atlanta Police officer at a Wendys on University Ave last night. Police say Brooks had taken an officer’s taser and pointed it at the officer as he ran. pic.twitter.com/1G8fn03gFV
— Matt Johnson (@MattWSB) June 13, 2020
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms calls for the “immediate termination” of the police officer who shot and killed Rayshard Brooks last night. She also announced that Atlanta’s Police, Chief Ericka Shields, voluntarily stepped down. pic.twitter.com/aN6c7tlEUh
— Ana Cabrera (@AnaCabrera) June 13, 2020