Rayshard Brooks
Rayshard Brooks
On the night of June 12, 2020, Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old African American man, was fatally shot by Atlanta Police Department (APD) officer Garrett Rolfe. APD officer Devin Brosnan was responding to a complaint that a man (Brooks) was asleep in a car blocking a restaurant drive-through lane. At the scene, Brosnan radioed for assistance, and Rolfe arrived some minutes later. Rolfe conducted a breathalyzer exam which indicated that Brooks's blood-alcohol content was above the legal limit for driving. Rolfe and Brosnan began to handcuff Brooks, at which point Brooks fought with the officers, got hold of Brosnan's taser, punched Rolfe, and ran away. Rolfe pursued Brooks on foot. Brooks half-turned and fired the taser toward Rolfe; Rolfe then fired his weapon three times at Brooks, hitting him twice from behind. A third shot struck an occupied car. Brooks died after surgery.
Footage of the incident, recorded from the officers' body cams, a witness's phone and the restaurant's security system, was widely broadcast. Police chief erika shields resigned one day later; that same day, Rolfe was fired and Brosnan was placed on administrative duty. Rolfe was charged with felony murder and ten other offenses; Brosnan with aggravated assault and two counts of violation of oath.
