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Protest Updates: Charging Decision Expected This Week in Atlanta Killing Protest Updates: Charging Decision Expected This Week in Atlanta Killing
(32 minutes later)
The district attorney in Fulton County, Ga., has said he will make a decision by midweek on whether to file criminal charges in the fatal police shooting of an African-American man outside a Wendy’s restaurant on Friday night, the latest killing to stir outrage over a long history of deadly violence by the police against African-Americans.The district attorney in Fulton County, Ga., has said he will make a decision by midweek on whether to file criminal charges in the fatal police shooting of an African-American man outside a Wendy’s restaurant on Friday night, the latest killing to stir outrage over a long history of deadly violence by the police against African-Americans.
The shooting of the man, Rayshard Brooks, 27, by a white police officer came at a time when protesters have taken to the streets in cities around the country to demand changes in police practices, the downsizing of police departments, and a reckoning with racism in many sectors of society.The shooting of the man, Rayshard Brooks, 27, by a white police officer came at a time when protesters have taken to the streets in cities around the country to demand changes in police practices, the downsizing of police departments, and a reckoning with racism in many sectors of society.
Mr. Brooks’s killing set off a fresh wave of the questioning and anger that has roiled the nation since the death of George Floyd, and the response from political leaders has been unusually swift, as they sought to head off a potentially explosive reaction from protesters.Mr. Brooks’s killing set off a fresh wave of the questioning and anger that has roiled the nation since the death of George Floyd, and the response from political leaders has been unusually swift, as they sought to head off a potentially explosive reaction from protesters.
Less than 24 hours after Mr. Brooks was shot, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta announced that the city’s police chief had resigned. On Sunday, a spokesman for the police department said that the officer who shot Mr. Brooks had been fired.Less than 24 hours after Mr. Brooks was shot, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms of Atlanta announced that the city’s police chief had resigned. On Sunday, a spokesman for the police department said that the officer who shot Mr. Brooks had been fired.
The encounter outside the restaurant was captured on eyewitness videos, police body-camera footage and security camera footage.The encounter outside the restaurant was captured on eyewitness videos, police body-camera footage and security camera footage.
The police were called to the scene on Friday night because Mr. Brooks had fallen asleep in his car on the restaurant’s drive-through line. Mr. Brooks was awakened and given a sobriety test, which he failed.The police were called to the scene on Friday night because Mr. Brooks had fallen asleep in his car on the restaurant’s drive-through line. Mr. Brooks was awakened and given a sobriety test, which he failed.
After two police officers had been on the scene for 27 minutes, much of that time talking with Mr. Brooks, one of the officers, Garrett Rolfe, attempted to handcuff him, leading to a struggle. The officers tried to stun Mr. Brooks with Tasers, and Mr. Brooks grabbed one of their Tasers and ran away, with Officer Rolfe in pursuit. Mr. Brooks turned at one point to fire the Taser back in Officer Rolfe’s direction; Officer Rolfe then pulled out his handgun and fired at Mr. Brooks three times as he was running away.After two police officers had been on the scene for 27 minutes, much of that time talking with Mr. Brooks, one of the officers, Garrett Rolfe, attempted to handcuff him, leading to a struggle. The officers tried to stun Mr. Brooks with Tasers, and Mr. Brooks grabbed one of their Tasers and ran away, with Officer Rolfe in pursuit. Mr. Brooks turned at one point to fire the Taser back in Officer Rolfe’s direction; Officer Rolfe then pulled out his handgun and fired at Mr. Brooks three times as he was running away.
The Fulton County medical examiner’s office confirmed on Sunday that Mr. Brooks’s death was a homicide and that the cause of death was “gunshot wounds of the back.” The office’s statement said he had been hit by two shots in the back, causing “organ injuries and blood loss.”The Fulton County medical examiner’s office confirmed on Sunday that Mr. Brooks’s death was a homicide and that the cause of death was “gunshot wounds of the back.” The office’s statement said he had been hit by two shots in the back, causing “organ injuries and blood loss.”
The district attorney, Paul Howard, told CNN that the possible charges against Officer Rolfe included murder, felony murder and involuntary manslaughter. Mr. Howard said he would decide which, if any, charges to bring by midweek. (Felony murder refers to a homicide committed while committing another felony.)The district attorney, Paul Howard, told CNN that the possible charges against Officer Rolfe included murder, felony murder and involuntary manslaughter. Mr. Howard said he would decide which, if any, charges to bring by midweek. (Felony murder refers to a homicide committed while committing another felony.)
“He did not seem to present any kind of threat to anyone,” Mr. Howard said of Mr. Brooks, “and so the fact that it would escalate to his death just seems unreasonable.”“He did not seem to present any kind of threat to anyone,” Mr. Howard said of Mr. Brooks, “and so the fact that it would escalate to his death just seems unreasonable.”
In an emotional news conference, the family of Rayshard Brooks, who was shot and killed on Saturday by an Atlanta police officer, attempted to describe how the sense of loss and injustice that they had seen tear through other African-American families was now affecting their own.In an emotional news conference, the family of Rayshard Brooks, who was shot and killed on Saturday by an Atlanta police officer, attempted to describe how the sense of loss and injustice that they had seen tear through other African-American families was now affecting their own.
“Not only did we lose another black, unarmed male,” said Chassidy Evans, a niece of Mr. Brooks. “This time, it landed on our doorstep.”“Not only did we lose another black, unarmed male,” said Chassidy Evans, a niece of Mr. Brooks. “This time, it landed on our doorstep.”
Ms. Evans said she had watched in disbelief three weeks ago as protesters swarmed downtown Atlanta, vandalizing buildings and setting a police vehicle on fire. At the time, she said, she had defended the Atlanta police, saying that while the anger of the demonstrators over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis was legitimate, the Atlanta police were not to blame.Ms. Evans said she had watched in disbelief three weeks ago as protesters swarmed downtown Atlanta, vandalizing buildings and setting a police vehicle on fire. At the time, she said, she had defended the Atlanta police, saying that while the anger of the demonstrators over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis was legitimate, the Atlanta police were not to blame.
“This doesn’t happen here — leave them alone,” Ms. Evans recalled thinking, standing before a bank of cameras in a lawyer’s office to represent her family, including Mr. Brooks’s wife, his three young daughters, and cousins and other relatives.“This doesn’t happen here — leave them alone,” Ms. Evans recalled thinking, standing before a bank of cameras in a lawyer’s office to represent her family, including Mr. Brooks’s wife, his three young daughters, and cousins and other relatives.
“Here we are, three weeks later,” she told reporters, “those same police took something away from my family we will never get back: Rayshard Brooks.”“Here we are, three weeks later,” she told reporters, “those same police took something away from my family we will never get back: Rayshard Brooks.”
The family said that they believed his death had been avoidable, and that their loss, like those of other families of people killed by the police, should be an impetus for systemic change.The family said that they believed his death had been avoidable, and that their loss, like those of other families of people killed by the police, should be an impetus for systemic change.
“My uncle did not die in vain,” Ms. Evans said. “His life mattered. George Floyd’s life mattered. Breonna Taylor’s life mattered. Michael Brown’s life mattered. Sandra Bland’s life mattered. I’m not only asking the city of Atlanta to stand with us. I’m asking for everyone in this nation to stand with us as we seek justice for Rayshard.”“My uncle did not die in vain,” Ms. Evans said. “His life mattered. George Floyd’s life mattered. Breonna Taylor’s life mattered. Michael Brown’s life mattered. Sandra Bland’s life mattered. I’m not only asking the city of Atlanta to stand with us. I’m asking for everyone in this nation to stand with us as we seek justice for Rayshard.”
In a sign of the rage over police killings that is boiling around the country, a non-lethal encounter early Monday morning between the police and a black teenager in St. Cloud, Minn., quickly stirred rumors of a fatal shooting and a heated protest. Political leaders in Albuquerque said on Monday that the city would take money from the budget of its scandal-plagued Police Department to create a new community safety department.
The sweeping reorganization reflects national calls to “defund the police” as well as long-simmering rancor in the city over policing tactics. The Police Department is already undergoing a court-ordered overhaul, overseen by the U.S. Justice Department, after documented cases of excessive force by police officers.
Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement that the new safety department will operate alongside the city’s police and fire departments. Mr. Keller, a Democrat, said his administration would work with residents and members of the City Council over the next two months to map out details of the new department, “which will reallocate millions of dollars.”
The initiative will give 911 dispatchers a new option: A “community safety response” can be sent to de-escalate a situation, instead of involving police officers or firefighters. The new department is expected to respond to calls related to homelessness, addiction and mental health.
Chief Mike Geier of the Albuquerque Police said he supported the reorganization. “Civilian expertise can make all the difference in resolving problems without the threat of arrest,” Chief Geier said.
The police have been criticized this month over the handling of a 911 call from the parents of a mentally unstable man, asking that their son be taken to a hospital for treatment. During the episode, an officer shot the 26-year-old man, Max Mitnik, wounding him in the head. The police claimed that Mr. Mitnik, who is now hospitalized in stable condition, came at them with a knife.
In a sign of the rage over police killings that is boiling around the country, a nonlethal encounter early Monday morning between the police and a black teenager in St. Cloud, Minn., quickly stirred rumors of a fatal shooting and a heated protest.
The episode began shortly after midnight, according to the St. Cloud police, when two officers saw reports on social media about a person with a firearm outside a local business. The officers confronted the person, an 18-year-old black man.The episode began shortly after midnight, according to the St. Cloud police, when two officers saw reports on social media about a person with a firearm outside a local business. The officers confronted the person, an 18-year-old black man.
He tried to flee, the police said, and in a struggle that followed, the young man shot one of the officers in the hand. Both the officer and the young man were taken to the hospital; the young man had what the police chief, William Blair Anderson, described as minor injuries.He tried to flee, the police said, and in a struggle that followed, the young man shot one of the officers in the hand. Both the officer and the young man were taken to the hospital; the young man had what the police chief, William Blair Anderson, described as minor injuries.
Reports quickly spread on social media that the encounter had ended very differently, though — with the police shooting and killing a black teenager. Within hours, a crowd of about 100 people had gathered and was headed for the police station.Reports quickly spread on social media that the encounter had ended very differently, though — with the police shooting and killing a black teenager. Within hours, a crowd of about 100 people had gathered and was headed for the police station.
Chief Anderson said at a news conference on Monday that the police understood that the crowd, acting on “misinformation, bad information, or just flat-out lies,” intended to take over the station. He said officers used tear gas to disperse the group, but that several buildings, including the station, were damaged. Four people were arrested on minor charges, he said.Chief Anderson said at a news conference on Monday that the police understood that the crowd, acting on “misinformation, bad information, or just flat-out lies,” intended to take over the station. He said officers used tear gas to disperse the group, but that several buildings, including the station, were damaged. Four people were arrested on minor charges, he said.
As the protest flared, officials raced to set the story straight, sending out a news release and calling community leaders to say there had been no killing.As the protest flared, officials raced to set the story straight, sending out a news release and calling community leaders to say there had been no killing.
At the news conference on Monday, the mayor, Dave Kleis, said there had been a lot of “dangerous” misinformation on social media. He and Chief Anderson tried to turn the story into a positive one for the Police Department, arguing that the officers’ handling of the incident showed their restraint and professionalism.At the news conference on Monday, the mayor, Dave Kleis, said there had been a lot of “dangerous” misinformation on social media. He and Chief Anderson tried to turn the story into a positive one for the Police Department, arguing that the officers’ handling of the incident showed their restraint and professionalism.
“This is one of those situations that could have gone markedly different,” Chief Anderson said, suggesting that it was a case in which an officer could permissibly have used deadly force.“This is one of those situations that could have gone markedly different,” Chief Anderson said, suggesting that it was a case in which an officer could permissibly have used deadly force.
“You want to see what good policing looks like?” he said. “You want to see what community policing looks like? You want to see what community engagement looks like? Come to St. Cloud, and we’ll show you.”“You want to see what good policing looks like?” he said. “You want to see what community policing looks like? You want to see what community engagement looks like? Come to St. Cloud, and we’ll show you.”
An N.A.A.C.P. march that sent hundreds of people into the streets of downtown Atlanta on Monday was originally planned to focus on the collapse of Georgia’s statewide voting system last week, forcing some people to wait in lines for more than four hours to vote.
But then came Friday night, and the police shooting of Rayshard Brooks. That turned the march into a protest not only about impediments to voting, but also about the treatment of black people at the hands of the police. Signs in the crowd read “They steal elections,” “End voter suppression” and “Defund police.”
The twin themes were sounded repeatedly. Lloyd Pierce, head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, the city’s N.B.A. franchise, spoke at a morning rally about his pride in being black. Mr. Pierce said he would die a black man, “but I don’t want to die because I’m a black man.”
Wanda Mosley, of the advocacy group Black Voters Matter, accused the Republican secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, of failing to act to fix known problems with Georgia’s new $107 million computerized voting system. “If you aren’t able to do your job, resign,” she said.
The peaceful morning march to the State Capitol stood in contrast to the looting that broke out in some places over the weekend, most notably at the Wendy’s restaurant where Mr. Brooks was killed. The building was burned during protests on Saturday night.
Through the weekend, other locations in Atlanta were tense as well, including a police precinct station in Grant Park, a historic residential neighborhood south of downtown. Scores of police officers in riot gear flowed in to protect the precinct station, and used tear gas to repel dozens of protesters on Saturday night.
When the marchers on Monday reached the State Capitol, they made a number of specific demands of legislators, including passage of a state hate-crimes law and repealing the state’s citizen’s arrest statute.
That statute was cited earlier this year by a district attorney in Waycross, Ga., who told the police in nearby Glynn County that insufficient probable cause existed to arrest the three white men who pursued an unarmed black man, Ahmaud Arbery, through the streets of their neighborhood before killing him.
The position of police chief, once prestigious, might be the most precarious high-profile job in America right now — particularly for chiefs whose mission is reform.The position of police chief, once prestigious, might be the most precarious high-profile job in America right now — particularly for chiefs whose mission is reform.
When Erika Shields resigned on Saturday as the Atlanta police chief in the wake of an officer-involved shooting of a black man, she joined a long and growing line of progressive, reform-minded police chiefs who have been fired or who have chosen to step down, often after high-profile episodes of police violence.When Erika Shields resigned on Saturday as the Atlanta police chief in the wake of an officer-involved shooting of a black man, she joined a long and growing line of progressive, reform-minded police chiefs who have been fired or who have chosen to step down, often after high-profile episodes of police violence.
“You can do everything right, and have one officer one night do something, and all of a sudden your career is upside down,” said Chuck Wexler, the director of the Police Executive Research Foundation.“You can do everything right, and have one officer one night do something, and all of a sudden your career is upside down,” said Chuck Wexler, the director of the Police Executive Research Foundation.
The foundation is often retained to help cities find police chiefs to hire, recently including Philadelphia and Baltimore, and even more recently, Louisville, where the chief was fired after two killings: Those of Breonna Taylor, a woman shot dead in her own home March 13 when officers burst in to execute a no-knock search warrant, and David McAtee, the owner of a popular barbecue stand who was killed in a shooting incident involving police officers on June 1 during protests in the city.The foundation is often retained to help cities find police chiefs to hire, recently including Philadelphia and Baltimore, and even more recently, Louisville, where the chief was fired after two killings: Those of Breonna Taylor, a woman shot dead in her own home March 13 when officers burst in to execute a no-knock search warrant, and David McAtee, the owner of a popular barbecue stand who was killed in a shooting incident involving police officers on June 1 during protests in the city.
Chiefs must perform a high-wire act of retaining the respect of their officers, aligning with elected officials and giving the community genuine input into policy and operations, Mr. Wexler said. Often, pleasing one side means displeasing another. And now chiefs face fundamental questions over not just how they police, but why.Chiefs must perform a high-wire act of retaining the respect of their officers, aligning with elected officials and giving the community genuine input into policy and operations, Mr. Wexler said. Often, pleasing one side means displeasing another. And now chiefs face fundamental questions over not just how they police, but why.
Even before the current moment of reckoning, police chiefs brought in to fix troubled departments often found themselves abruptly unemployed. Baltimore aEven before the current moment of reckoning, police chiefs brought in to fix troubled departments often found themselves abruptly unemployed. Baltimore a
Over the last few years, a number of states have begun re-evaluating their use-of-force laws, particularly in the years since the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., in August 2014, which stirred unrest there and set off a broader debate about race and law enforcement.Over the last few years, a number of states have begun re-evaluating their use-of-force laws, particularly in the years since the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., in August 2014, which stirred unrest there and set off a broader debate about race and law enforcement.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, at least 16 states enacted new laws regarding use of force from 2014 to 2017. One 2014 law in Utah restricted officers to “use only that force which is reasonable and necessary” for executing a warrant. And nine states in that time period changed the law to provide more transparency in investigations of deaths involving police.According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, at least 16 states enacted new laws regarding use of force from 2014 to 2017. One 2014 law in Utah restricted officers to “use only that force which is reasonable and necessary” for executing a warrant. And nine states in that time period changed the law to provide more transparency in investigations of deaths involving police.
Georgia law states that officers may use deadly force if they “reasonably believe” a felony suspect has a deadly weapon, poses an immediate threat of physical violence, or if they have probable cause to believe that the person has committed a crime that involves serious physical harm, or the threat of such harm.Georgia law states that officers may use deadly force if they “reasonably believe” a felony suspect has a deadly weapon, poses an immediate threat of physical violence, or if they have probable cause to believe that the person has committed a crime that involves serious physical harm, or the threat of such harm.
For Gerald Griggs, a lawyer and first vice president of the Atlanta chapter of the N.A.A.C.P., the law tends to benefit the police. “If anything, the rules are bent toward law enforcement, and that’s a special interest,” Mr. Griggs said Sunday. “The police unions are the ones that are voicing support for that. And I think the community is beginning to see it’s the voice of a very small few that are driving this opposition to police reform.”For Gerald Griggs, a lawyer and first vice president of the Atlanta chapter of the N.A.A.C.P., the law tends to benefit the police. “If anything, the rules are bent toward law enforcement, and that’s a special interest,” Mr. Griggs said Sunday. “The police unions are the ones that are voicing support for that. And I think the community is beginning to see it’s the voice of a very small few that are driving this opposition to police reform.”
The shift in political winds since Mr. Floyd’s death in police custody has emboldened efforts at overhauling laws and policies surrounding policing that activists have pushed for years but found to be intractable.The shift in political winds since Mr. Floyd’s death in police custody has emboldened efforts at overhauling laws and policies surrounding policing that activists have pushed for years but found to be intractable.
In New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed an expansive package of bills on Friday that barred the use of chokeholds and also repealed a statute in the civil code, known as 50-a, that shielded police officers’ disciplinary records from being released to the public.In New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed an expansive package of bills on Friday that barred the use of chokeholds and also repealed a statute in the civil code, known as 50-a, that shielded police officers’ disciplinary records from being released to the public.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom called for an immediate end to the use of “strangleholds” last week, saying such use of force had “no place any longer in 21st century practices and policing.”In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom called for an immediate end to the use of “strangleholds” last week, saying such use of force had “no place any longer in 21st century practices and policing.”
And in Washington, D.C., the City Council passed a new use of force provision last week in emergency legislation that will be valid for 90 days, but could eventually become permanent. It stipulates that a jury, in a criminal case against a police officer, must not only focus on whether the officer had a “belief” that the use of force was reasonable — a common standard in state law — but also find that an officer’s actions were reasonable.And in Washington, D.C., the City Council passed a new use of force provision last week in emergency legislation that will be valid for 90 days, but could eventually become permanent. It stipulates that a jury, in a criminal case against a police officer, must not only focus on whether the officer had a “belief” that the use of force was reasonable — a common standard in state law — but also find that an officer’s actions were reasonable.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered at the Brooklyn Museum on Sunday for a rally for black trans lives — one of many around the country following the killings of two black transgender women last week, Riah Milton in Ohio and Dominique “Rem’Mie” Fells in Pennsylvania, each of which is being investigated as a homicide.Thousands of demonstrators gathered at the Brooklyn Museum on Sunday for a rally for black trans lives — one of many around the country following the killings of two black transgender women last week, Riah Milton in Ohio and Dominique “Rem’Mie” Fells in Pennsylvania, each of which is being investigated as a homicide.
Sunday’s protest came amid mass demonstrations over police brutality and in support of Black Lives Matter, and days after the Trump administration finalized a regulation that will erase protections for transgender patients against discrimination in health care.Sunday’s protest came amid mass demonstrations over police brutality and in support of Black Lives Matter, and days after the Trump administration finalized a regulation that will erase protections for transgender patients against discrimination in health care.
“I demand that the state be held accountable for our murders,” Ianne Fields Stewart, founder of the Okra Project, a support and advocacy group, said at the rally. “Today I demand that the state be held accountable for continuously dead-naming us, ignoring us, abusing us, violating us, while profiting off of us in the shadows.”“I demand that the state be held accountable for our murders,” Ianne Fields Stewart, founder of the Okra Project, a support and advocacy group, said at the rally. “Today I demand that the state be held accountable for continuously dead-naming us, ignoring us, abusing us, violating us, while profiting off of us in the shadows.”
Transgender people face high rates of violence around the country and the world, and the American Medical Association said last fall that killings of transgender women of color in the U.S. amounted to an epidemic.Transgender people face high rates of violence around the country and the world, and the American Medical Association said last fall that killings of transgender women of color in the U.S. amounted to an epidemic.
One speaker at the rally was Melania Brown, sister of Layleen Polanco, a transgender woman who was found dead in 2019 in a cell at Rikers Island. Ms. Polanco’s death in custody attracted national attention.One speaker at the rally was Melania Brown, sister of Layleen Polanco, a transgender woman who was found dead in 2019 in a cell at Rikers Island. Ms. Polanco’s death in custody attracted national attention.
Prosecutors found that prison officers were not responsible, but Ms. Polanco’s family has sued the city for wrongful death, saying that the prison staff failed to provide her with timely medical care that could have saved her life after she suffered an epileptic seizure.Prosecutors found that prison officers were not responsible, but Ms. Polanco’s family has sued the city for wrongful death, saying that the prison staff failed to provide her with timely medical care that could have saved her life after she suffered an epileptic seizure.
In Los Angeles, L.G.B.T.Q. activists held a march and rally in Hollywood and West Hollywood on Sunday focused on racial injustice and police brutality against members of their community, The Los Angeles Times reported.In Los Angeles, L.G.B.T.Q. activists held a march and rally in Hollywood and West Hollywood on Sunday focused on racial injustice and police brutality against members of their community, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Reporting was contributed by Julia Carmel, Shaila Dewan, Richard Fausset, Rick Rojas and Kate Taylor. Reporting was contributed by Julia Carmel, Shaila Dewan, Richard Fausset, Rick Rojas, Simon Romero and Kate Taylor.