Cops Shoot, Kill Black Man After Struggle at a Wendy's

Protesters gather in Atlanta over the death of Rayshard Brooks, 27
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 13, 2020 12:00 PM CDT

Georgia authorities said Saturday a man was shot and killed in a late night struggle with Atlanta police outside a fast food restaurant after he failed a field sobriety test and resisted arrest, the AP reports. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said it was asked by Atlanta police to investigate the shooting, which happened at a Wendy's restaurant late Friday. The GBI said its agents were reviewing video taken by witnesses. The agency also posted to Twitter a plea for witnesses to come forward, saying some at the scene "chose not to be interviewed by GBI agents." Numerous videos posted to social media sites showed a small crowd gathered at the scene and protesting the police shooting. TMZ has video of the struggle, Tasing, and (off-camera) shooting.

Officers were responding to a complaint of a man in a vehicle parked in the drive-thru who was asleep, causing customers to drive around the vehicle. After he failed a field sobriety test, the officers attempted to place the man into custody, but he resisted and a struggle ensued, leading the officer to deploy a Taser. The GBI said witnesses saw the man grab the Taser away from the officer. The GBI later said the victim, 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks of Atlanta, "turned and pointed the Taser at the officer" while being chased, and the officer opened fire, per the New York Times. One officer was treated for an injury and discharged from the hospital. Once the GBI investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for review.

(More police shooting stories.)

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