Another black man, Raushard Brooks is killed by cops

An Atlanta police officer involved in the death of a Black man at a fast-food restaurant has been fired and another placed on administrative duty, authorities confirmed early Sunday. 

The moves follow Saturday's resignation of Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields, who stepped down as the Friday night killing of Rayshard Brooks, 27, sparked a new wave of protests in Atlanta after turbulent demonstrations that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis had simmered down.

The terminated officer was identified as Garrett Rolfe, who was hired in October 2013. The other officer placed on administrative duty is Devin Brosnan, who was hired in September 2018.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Brooks, 27, was shot by an officer while fleeing during a struggle at a Wendy's drive-thru late Friday. Brooks had been asleep in his car at the drive-thru, causing other customers to drive around the car, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said. 

Police were dispatched to the Wendy's around 10:30 p.m., and conducted a sobriety test on Brooks, who failed the test, according to the officials.

"During the arrest, the male subject resisted and a struggle ensued," the Bureau of Investigation said. "The officer deployed a Taser. Witnesses report that during the struggle the male subject grabbed and was in possession of the Taser. It has also been reported that the male subject was shot by an officer in the struggle over the Taser."

One officer was treated for an injury and discharged after the confrontation. Brooks died in the hospital after surgery. 

Rashard Brooks was killed last night by APD Atlanta

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who announced the police chief's resignation, also called for the termination of the police officer who shot Brooks and for another officer to be placed on administrative duty.

While there may be debate as to whether this was an appropriate use of deadly force, I firmly believe that there is a clear distinction between what you can do and what you should do. I do not believe that this was a justified use of deadly force, Bottoms said.

Bottoms said Shields would continue in a different role "to be determined" in the police department. 

To the family of Mr. Brooks, there are no words strong enough to express how sincerely sorry I am for your loss. I do hope that you will find some comfort in the swift actions that have been taken today, she said.

And because of her desire that Atlanta be a model of what meaningful reform should look like across this country, Chief Shields has offered to immediately step aside as police chief so that the city may move forward with urgency in rebuilding the trust so desperately needed throughout our community, Bottoms said.

Bottoms called Shields a "solid member of APD for over two decades."

Earlier on Saturday, several hundred people gathered in the parking lot of the Wendy’s where Brooks encountered the police. Some chanted "say his name" and carried signs that read "He didn’t deserve to die" and "convict the killer cop." The restaurant was closed to patrons.

The peaceful protest suddenly turned violent around 8:30 p.m. after National Guard troops arrived toting guns. Some protesters began surrounding one police car and rocking it. Other protesters surged on the police and troops without touching them, forcing the law enforcement officials to walk backwards from the crowd. After a few minutes, the law enforcement officials released several canisters of tear gas into the crowd, sending the protesters fleeing in panic.

Protesters later shut down an interstate highway in both directions and set fire to the Wendy’s restaurant where Brooks was fatally shot the night before, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

It's unclear why Brooks was sleeping in his car at the drive-thru Friday night. 

Wendy’s surveillance video published by the Bureau of Investigations Saturday afternoon appears to show officers arriving in a vehicle to the drive-thru parking lot. The vehicle can be seen pulling up to another car, but the officers and Brooks cannot be seen in the video.

About half an hour later, Brooks can be seen running away from two officers, who chase after him. As Brooks runs away, he turns back toward one officer and points the Taser, and that officer fires his weapon. Brooks falls to the ground and appears to remain motionless.

As the two officers approach Brooks on the ground, bystanders can be seen getting out of their cars and recording video.