Atlanta Policeman To Face Murder Charges For Shooting Black Man

Rayshard Brooks, who was shot in the back as he fled the officer, District Attorney Paul Howard announced Wednesday.

Howard said Garrett Rolfe had no justification for shooting Brooks, and aggravated the case by kicking Brook’s body as he lay on the ground bleeding.

“We concluded that, at the time that Mr Brooks was shot, he did not pose an immediate threat of death or serious physical injury to the officers,” Howard said.

The officer who killed Mr. Brooks, Garrett Rolfe, faces 11 charges, with prosecutors saying that he shot Mr. Brooks twice in the back and then kickedhim as he was lying on the ground. Prosecutors said Mr. Rolfe also declared, “I got him,” after firing the shots.

If convicted of the murder charge, he could face life in prison or the death penalty.

Another officer involved in the confrontation, Devin Brosnan, was charged with three counts, Mr. Howard said, including aggravated assault and violations of oath for stepping on Mr. Brooks’s shoulder while he was lying on the ground and also failing to render aid.

Mr. Howard said Officer Brosnan, who was placed on administrative leave by the Police Department after the shooting, is cooperating with prosecutors in the investigation.