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Officer Who Shot Rayshard Brooks Officially Charged With Felony Murder—Along With Several Other Charges

Roommates, former Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe, who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks less than a week ago, has officially been charged with felony murder—along with a host of other charges. DA Paul Howard also revealed that the other officer, Devin Brosnan is facing three charges in the case for his role in the incident.

Atlanta’s Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard, issued arrest warrants earlier today in the June 12th shooting death of Rayshard Brooks, who was asleep in his car at a local Wendy’s drive-thru. Howard announced that former officer Garrett Rolfe is officially facing 11 counts, including felony murder and aggravated assault, criminal damage to property and violations to his oath of office. Additionally, officer Devin Brosnan is charged with aggravated assault and two violations of oath of office.

Howard said the district attorney’s office interviewed 10 witnesses to the Rayshard Brooks shooting and watched eight videos that recorded the incident. Those videos were captured from various surveillance, body camera and personal cellphone footage. Physical evidence was also viewed, including evidence from the crime scene, canvassing the area and examining the tasers that were used on Brooks. Howard also stated that he concluded through witness statements and the videos that Brooks never presented himself as a threat to either Rolfe or Brosnan.

Speaking about the charges brought against the two men, Howard had this to say:

“Even though Mr. Brooks was slightly impaired, his demeanor during this incident was almost jovial. For 41 minutes and 17 seconds he followed every instruction, he answered the questions. Mr. Brooks never displayed any aggressive behavior during the 41 minutes and 17 seconds. During that two minutes and 12 seconds, Officer Rolfe actually kicked Mr. Brooks as he laid on the ground, while he was there fighting for his life. Officer Brosnan actually stood on Mr. Brooks shoulder.”

He continued, adding:

“We have also concluded that Rolfe was aware that the taser in Brooks’ possession. It was fired twice, and once it’s fired twice, it presented no danger to him or to any other persons. At the time the first shot was fired, the utterance made by Officer Rolfe was ‘I got him.”

As of right now, Rolfe and Brosnan have until Wednesday evening to turn themselves in.

 

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Danielle Jennings