Cop Shoots and Kills 27 Y.O. Man Thru Wendy's Drive-Thru (Breaking)
An Atlanta police officer shot and killed a man at a Wendy's drive-thru Friday night after he resisted arrest and struggled for an officer's Taser, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.
The GBI identified the slain man as Rayshard Brooks, 27, of Atlanta, who was African American.
Witnesses provided video to investigators, the GBI said on Twitter.
"The GBI is aware that there is video posted on social media captured by witnesses in this incident. We are reviewing the video & the early investigative information in this case. We'll provide an update as soon as we can," the tweet said.
The deceased subject has been identified as Rayshard Brooks, age 27, of Atlanta, GA. gbi.georgia.gov/press-releases…
Brooks' killing comes amid global protests and discussion of racism and police use of force following the death of George Floyd last month in custody in Minneapolis. Atlanta has seen frequent protests, including some that turned violent.
Six Atlanta Police Department officers were facing charges of using excessive force during one, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced June 2. Two of the officers were fired by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Friday, officers responded to a call at 10:33 p.m. about a man sleeping in a parked vehicle in the drive-thru, causing other customers to drive around it, the GBI said in a statement.
Police gave Brooks a field sobriety test, which he failed, the GBI said. He resisted arrest and struggled with officers, the GBI said.
An officer drew his Taser and,
witnesses said, the man grabbed it,
witnesses said, the man grabbed it,
the statement said. An officer then shot him.
Brooks was taken to a hospital, where he died, the statement said.
One officer was treated for an injury and released, the GBI said.
CNN has reached out to the APD, GBI and the mayor's office but they have not responded.
'I thought Atlanta was higher than that'
At the Wendy's in southeast Atlanta, Decatur Redd, who said he is a relative
of Brooks, spoke with reporters and a crowd of people.
"I don't know how to do this because I never knew that I was going to have to do this,"
Redd said. "I've watched this on the internet, from the whole George Floyd situation
to us coming together like we're doing and this whole thing landed on my doorstep
with my little cousin.
"I thought Atlanta was higher than that. I thought Atlanta was bigger than that," Redd said.
"We've been watching this happen for so many years, with young black boys
around the country just dying in vain," Redd said. "I just don't want that to continue
and keep happening like that."
Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate and state House Minority Leader
Stacey Abrams commented on Twitter.
"The killing of #RayshardBrooks in Atlanta last night demands we severely restrict the
use of deadly force. Yes, investigations must be called for -- but so too should
accountability," Adams wrote. "Sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death."
Stacey Abrams
✔
@staceyabrams
The killing of #RayshardBrooks in Atlanta last night demands we severely
restrict the use of deadly force. Yes, investigations must be called for -
but so too should accountability.
Man dead after being shot by Atlanta police, GBI investigating
A man is dead after being shot by police following a struggle over a
Taser at a Wendy's parking lot in Atlanta.
abcnews.go.com
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