The Atlanta officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in the back after the fleeing man pointed a stun gun in his direction will be charged with felony murder and 10 other charges, a prosecutor said on Wednesday.
Brooks was shot and killed outside a Wendy’s restaurant where he’d apparently fallen
asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane.
He allegedly failed a field sobriety test — and ultimately was seen wrestling with the
officers and running with one of their Tasers leading up to the shooting.
Garrett Rolfe kicked Brooks while laying on the ground and Fulton County District Attorney
Paul Howard said at a news conference that the officer with him, Devin Brosnan, stood on
Brooks’ shoulder as he struggled for life after a confrontation on Friday night.
If convicted, Rolfe faces the possibility of capital punishment or life in prison.
Arrest warrants were issued for Rolfe and fellow officer Devin Brosnan, who was on the
scene as well and faces three lower charges.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said Rolfe kicked Brooks as he lay on the dying
ground and Brosnan stood on his shoulder, rather than providing timely medical attention
to Brooks after the shooting, as required by city policy.
Among other charges, Brosnan was charged with aggravated assault but according to
Howard he cooperates with prosecutors and is willing to testify against Rolfe.
Howard said this is the first time forty such cases have happened.
After the shooting, Rolfe was fired while Brosnan was placed on leave.
