Late Friday. police was called about a man sleeping in a car that was blocking a Wendy’s restaurant drive-thru.
According to the the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the suspect Rayshard Brooks allegedly failed a sobriety and violently resisted arrest, when officers tried to take him into custody. One officer deployed a taser, which Brooks “grabbed and was in possession of.”
Dash cam video shows Brooks wrestling on the ground with two police officers. They gave chase when he fled the scene.
“Officers pursued Brooks on foot and during the chase, Brooks turned and pointed the taser at the officer. The officer fired his weapon, striking Brooks,” GBI said. Brooks died at the hospital after a surgery.
Far left Antifa and BLM Rioters took to the streets Saturday, setting fires to businesses and blocking highways. Local branch of fast food restaurant chain Wendy's was also set on fire.
Later Saturday the city’s police chief, Erika Shields, stepped down from her position in although she was expected to remain with the department in another role.
“Out of a deep and abiding love for this City and this department, I offered to step aside as police chief,” Shields said in a statement. “It is time for the city to move forward and build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”
One of the Atlanta police officers has been fired. Garrett Rolfe, had been with the Atlanta Police Department since 2013. The second officer, Devin Bronsan, was placed on administrative duty. He had been with the department since 2018.
The democrat Mayor of the city Keisha Lance Bottoms said at a press conference, “I do not believe this was a justified use of deadly force.”
Chris Stewart, an attorney for Brooks' family, said the officer who shot him should be charged for “an unjustified use of deadly force, which equals murder.”
At the protests Saturday, Brooks' sister-in-law Crystal Brooks said, "He wasn’t causing anyone any harm. The police went up to the car and even though the car was parked they pulled him out of the car and started tussling with him.”
Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp in a statement on Twitter wrote: "At the @Atlanta_Police Department’s request, the @GBI_GA launched an investigation into the conduct of two APD officers that led to the death of #RayshardBrooks. I am confident GBI Director Vic Reynolds and his team will follow the facts to ensure justice is served. As always, we stand ready to provide resources and support to protect Georgians who are peacefully protesting."