Rayshard Brooks: Police Officer Charged with Murder

The police officer who fatally shot an African American man last Friday, 12 June, is facing a murder charge.

Twenty-seven-year-old Rayshard Brooks was shot dead by an officer named Garrett Rolfe at a Wendy’s fast food restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia.

After an initial struggle on the ground, Brooks grabbed Rolfe’s Taser device and attempted to flee through the car park before he was shot twice in the back.

On Wednesday, 17 June, Paul Howard – the Fulton County district attorney – announced that Rolfe will face 11 criminal charges, including felony murder.

This decision comes after prosecutors reviewed eight videos of the shooting and spoke with 10 witnesses. Ultimately, it was determined that Brooks “did not pose an immediate threat of death or serious physical injury” to the officers.

Additionally, Devin Brosnan – a police officer who had been on the scene with Rolfe, and allegedly stood on Brooks’ shoulder during the initial struggle – will be facing three charges, including one for aggravated assault.

If convicted, Rolfe could face the death penalty, or life in prison, without parole.

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