‘I’m sick to my stomach’: Anger as prosecutor dismisses charges against Atlanta officers in Rayshard Brooks shooting

Mayor says his his ‘heart continues to ache for the family ... He was a father whose absence will forever be felt by our community’

The charges against the officers involved in the fatal shooting of Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta, Georgia in June 2020 have been dropped, prompting outrage.

Special prosecutor Pete Skandalakis said on Tuesday that it was “reasonable” for Officer Garrett Rolfe to use deadly force in the shooting which took place at a Wendy’s fast food restaurant, 11alive reported.

Mr Skandalakis said Mr Rolfe and Officer Devin Brosnan “acted within the scope of their duties”. The prosecutor said that when they started to detain Mr Books on suspicion of DUI, they had “no idea” it would lead to a struggle and the killing of Mr Brooks.

The officers “committed no crimes” and “acted as reasonable officers,” according to Mr Skandalakis. He said he would “file in Fulton County an administrative dismissal in which we will be dismissing all the warrants”.

Former Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter, a consultant for Mr Skandalakis’s office in this case, confirmed that all analysts had been white, according to 11alive.

Mr Skandalakis said he didn’t think race was a factor in the shooting of a Black man by two white officers.

He said video and audio evidence “speak for themselves”.

Georgia NAACP president Gerald Griggs told 11alive that “we need to present this case to a grand jury because only the citizens of Fulton County should determine if this case should proceed forward”.

“They justified the shooting of Rayshard Brooks by the Atlanta Police Department,” he tweeted.

Another Twitter user said: “Charges dropped against Atlanta officers in shooting death of Rayshard Brooks. And I’m sick to my stomach.”

Defence attorney Darryl Cohen told 11Alive that former Fulton District Attorney Paul Howard “overreached and overstepped” when he brought the charges.

“We have faith in the criminal justice system, and we respect the special prosecutor’s decision in this case,” the Atlanta PD said in a statement. “Both Officer Garrett Rolfe and Officer Devin Brosnan are still employed with APD.”

“They are currently on administrative duty. Both officers will undergo ... recertification and training,” the department added.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said his “heart continues to ache for the family of Rayshard Brooks. He was a father whose absence will forever be felt by our community”.

“This matter was referred to the special prosecutor last year. I respect the independent role that the special prosecutor played in this case,” he added. “Over the last two years, our country has been engaged in important discussions about policing in America. We must maintain our commitment to the work of creating safe communities through collaboration between police and the people they serve.”

A statement for Mr Brosnan said that “more than two years after the incident that resulted in Rayshard Brooks’s death, the State of Georgia has finally arrived at the right decision: that Officer Brosnan’s arrest was never supported by any evidence”.

“Officer Brosnan was assaulted and tased by Mr Brooks, and as a result suffered a concussion and required medical treatment. Despite his own injuries, he called for and personally rendered aid to Mr Brooks after the shooting. At no point did he assault or abuse Mr Brooks,” the statement said.

“Arrestable offenses are NOT a death sentence. Having a DUI is NOT a death sentence. Running away is NOT a death sentence. Justice for Rayshard Brooks,” one Twitter user said.

“I’m not surprised but I am disappointed. Rayshard Brooks did not deserve to die. The actions of these offices were excessive. My heart goes out to Mr Brooks family & all who love him,” artist Ted Winn wrote.