On Wednesday (June 17), Paul Howard, the district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia, held a press conference announcing which charges will be brought forth for former officer Garrett Rolfe after he fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in a Wendy’s parking lot.
Rolfe has been charged with a total of 11 charges including felony murder and multiple counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The other cop on the scene, Devin Brosnan, has been charged with one count of aggravated assault and two counts of violating his oath.
Howard said that his office spoke with multiple witnesses and watched eight different video recordings including the officers’ body cam footage, surveillance from Wendy’s and cellphone recordings. He also said that Atlanta police have to provide swift medical attention to anyone who is injured. For over two minutes, there was no medical attention given to Brooks.
Howard said that in the video, Rolfe kicked the victim while he was on the ground “fighting for his life.” Brosnan was also seen stepping on Brooks’ shoulder and has since admitted to his actions. He is also expected to testify against Rolfe during the trial. Neither officer ever told Brooks that he was under arrest.
Brooks was shot and killed on June 12 after law enforcement responded to a 911 call stating that he fell asleep in his car at a Wendy’s drive-thru. He reportedly failed a sobriety test and officers tried to take him into custody. He resisted and reportedly stole one of their tasers.
In the viral video of the incident, Brooks can be seen running away from law enforcement. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Brooks reportedly aimed a taser at the officers before Rolfe fired his weapon.
Earlier this week, the family of Brooks demanded justice for his death. “We’re tired and we are frustrated,” Brooks’ cousin said during a press conference on June 15. “Most importantly we’re heartbroken, so we need justice for Rayshard Brooks. The trust that we have in the police force is broken. The only way to heal some of these wounds is through a conviction and a drastic change in the police department.”
Arrest warrants have been issued for both officers and the district attorney is asking that Rolfe be held in jail without bond.