Garrett Rolfe: Officer who killed Rayshard Brooks moved to different jail over security concern hours after handing himself in
Rolfe faces 11 charges including felony murder
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Your support makes all the difference.The police officer accused of murdering Rayshard Brooks has been moved from his jail to a different facility in Atlanta due to concerns over his safety.
Garrett Rolfe was fired from the Atlanta Police Department after he shot Rayshard Brooks in the back as he was running away from an arrest attempt at a Wendy's drive-through. Rolfe has been charged with felony murder and 10 other charges related to Brooks' death.
Mr Brooks' killing is the latest to spark off demonstrations in the wake of the George Floyd killing.
According to CNN, anonymous law enforcement sources said Rolfe was moved from Fulton County Jail to a facility in Atlanta just hours before he was supposed to appear in court on Friday.
Rolfe turned himself in to authorities on Thursday and waived his right to a first appearance in court. If convicted on the felony murder charge, he could face the death penalty or life in prison, though the prosecutor has said he wouldn't seek capital punishment.
The other officer involved in the deadly encounter with Mr Brooks, officer Devin Brosnan, is facing an aggravated assault charge for allegedly standing on Mr Brook's shoulders after he'd been shot.
A video depicting the encounter shows Mr Brooks running after pointing a Taser he'd taken from Brosnan at Rolfe. The officer then shot Mr Brooks twice in the back.
Brosnan - who is also facing two counts of violating his oath of office - said he had faith that the justice system would validate their actions.
"I think this is a tragic event and it's ... a total tragedy that a man had to lose his life that night. My initial encounter with him, I felt he was friendly, he was respectful ... he seemed liked someone who potentially needed my help. I was really just there to see what I could do for him, make sure he was safe," Brosnan said.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said he fully expects Brosnan to cooperate with prosecutors in the case.
"I realise that this young man is ... getting a lot of pressure from a lot of groups and some of his colleagues," he said. "My expectation is when we move to the next level, I would expect him to follow through with what he has already promised."
Mr Brook's family has praised the fact that Rolfe is being charged with felony murder, but an attorney representing the family cautioned that a charge is not the same as a conviction.
"This is not the finish line. This is the starting point. Yes, we appreciate and we commend the DA's office for charging these officers appropriately, but that's just step one," attorney Justin Miller said. "As you know, that doesn't always result in convictions."
According to police union sources speaking anonymously to CNN, the charges brought against Rolfe has resulted in police officers in Atlanta refusing to show up for shifts. As a result, departments are dealing with the staffing shortage by reassigning officers normally assigned to major crimes to street patrols and answering 911 calls.