Lawyer Denounces Officer who Shot Rayshard Brooks Following his First Statement: 'I Got Him.'
On Sunday night, Justin Miller, a lawyer hired by the Brooks family, issued a statement where they condemned the police officers involved in the incident, claiming their first comment after striking the victim was "very disturbing", CNN reports.
According to Miller, the officer's first comment following the shooting was not that his life was saved, but "I got him." He also revealed autopsy results which showed Brooks was shot twice in the back, with his manner of death listed as homicide.
On Saturday night, Miller released a statement disputing the police department's official account of the incident. The lawyer claimed witnesses said they did not see the police officers conduct a sobriety test. He also claimed Brooks kept a "civil" profile while talking with the police.
Stewart claimed the law enforcement officers could have cornered and arrested the victim, instead of chasing him and opening fire. He further alleged the officers put on plastic gloves to pick up shell casings before performing first aid on the victim.
Shooting at Wendy's
An Atlanta police officer fatally shot a black man who fell asleep in his vehicle at a Wendy's drive-through, prompting a new wave of unrest. The victim was identified as 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks.
In a report by Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the officers responded to complaints of a man who was blocking the drive-thru after falling asleep in his vehicle. The victim was subjected to a sobriety test which he failed. During the arrest, Brooks allegedly resisted and grabbed a Taser from the officer. He was shot in the struggle over the stun gun.
A cellphone video circulating on social media showed the struggle between Brooks and the police, and the victim running away. A CCTV footage from Wendy's showed Brooks seemingly turning and pointing the Taser at the Atlanta officer. One of the cops retrieves his firearm from his holster and shoots, striking and killing Brooks.
The GBI revealed the bodycam of the police officer was knocked off during the physical struggle. Brooks was immediately transported to a nearby hospital where he died after undergoing surgery.
The police officers-identified as Garret Rolfe and Devin Brosnan-were fired and placed on administrative duty, respectively. On Saturday, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned from her position, USA Today reported.
Kiara Owens, Brooks's 26-year-old half-sister, said the victim was working in construction and had five daughters, two of whom were stepchildren. He was also expecting a sixth child.
"All he wanted to do is work and come home to his kids," she said. "The kids have been asking like, 'Is Daddy coming home?' And I can't tell the kids nothing. I can't tell them."
Ensuing Demonstrations
The shooting left many in the city outraged. By Saturday night, a group of demonstrators blocked the roads and an interstate near Wendy's and set it on fire.
The National Guard troops, who were fully armed, arrived at 8:30 PM. The protesters began surrounding police cars, others surged on the troops without touching them. After a few minutes, the authorities threw canisters of tear gas into the crowd, causing the demonstrators to flee.