The Reason Why I Am Staying Silent On The Rayshard Brooks Situation

The Reason Why I Am Staying Silent On The Rayshard Brooks Situation

The now-fired Atlanta Police officer who faces a felony murder charge for fatally shooting Rayshard Brooks last week kicked the 27-year-old man after he fell to the ground, Fulton County's district attorney said Wednesday. DA Paul Howard announced 11 charges against Garrett Rolfe, who five days ago fired three shots at Brooks, two of which hit Brooks in the back and another that hit a car with three people inside. After Rolfe shot Brooks, he exclaimed, "I got him," kicked Brooks as he struggled for his life, and failed to give timely first aid, Howard said. Asked by a reporter about new details revealed by the district attorney, Tomika Miller, Brooks' widow, began to cry and said, "I was very hurt. ... I felt everything that he felt just by hearing what he went through. And it hurt. It hurt really bad." A law firm representing Rolfe said he reacted after he thought he "heard a gunshot and saw a flash in front of him." "Fearing for his safety, and the safety of the civilians around him, Officer Rolfe dropped his taser and fired his service weapon at the only portion of Mr. Brooks that presented to him -- Mr. Brooks' back," a statement released by the LoRusso Law Firm says. Attorneys for Rolfe said their client immediately called for emergency medical services and began rendering aid to Brooks. Devin Brosnan, the other officer at the shooting, faces an aggravated assault charge for standing on Brooks in the parking lot. This still image taken from a bystander's video shows former officer Garrett Rolfe kick Rayshard Brooks after he was shot, according to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard. The killing Friday night came amid nationwide protests calling for an end to racism and police violence against black people. Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields stepped down from her position in the wake of the killing. Another demonstration was taking place Wednesday at the Wendy's where Brooks was shot, with dozens of protesters gathered and some blocking the road. Hours after the district attorney's announcement, Atlanta police officers were not responding to calls in three of the city's six zones, multiple sources within Atlanta Police Department told CNN's Ryan Young. The department denied the reports of officers walking off the job, saying there was a high number of call-outs on the incoming shift. "We have enough resources to maintain operations & remain able to respond to incidents," Atlanta police tweeted.

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