The Atlanta Metropolis Council on Monday voted unanimously to approve a $1 million settlement fee for the household of Rayshard Brooks, who was shot and killed by a police officer. Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man, was shot following a confrontation with two white law enforcement officials in June 2020.
The capturing occurred simply weeks after George Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody, fueling widespread protests throughout the nation. The evening after the capturing, the Wendy's the place Brooks was shot was set on hearth.
A particular prosecutor appointed to contemplate the case introduced in August that the usage of lethal drive was "objectively affordable." Pete Skandalakis, govt director of the Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia, mentioned he wouldn't pursue prices in opposition to Officer Garrett Rolfe, who shot Brooks, and Officer Devin Brosnan.
Attorneys for the Brooks household say they continue to be disillusioned that no prices have been introduced in opposition to the officers, however they mentioned Monday that the household is happy to have reached a settlement with town. The wrongful demise lawsuit was filed in September 2021 by Brooks' widow, Tomika Miller, and his property.
The Metropolis Council voted 15-0 on Monday to approve the settlement.
"This grieving household has been by way of a lot throughout this course of. Though the youngsters of Mr. Brooks have misplaced their father, settling the case will undoubtedly help them with future plans as they arrive of age," the household's attorneys mentioned in an announcement.
Additionally they mentioned they "proceed to carry out hope that the Dept. of Justice will intervene on this matter."
Police responded on June 12, 2020, to complaints of a person sleeping in a automobile within the drive-thru lane of a Wendy's restaurant. Police physique digicam video exhibits the 2 officers having a relaxed dialog with Brooks for about 40 minutes.
Then, when the officers instructed Brooks he'd had an excessive amount of to drink to be driving and tried to arrest him, Brooks resisted in a wrestle caught on sprint digicam video. Brooks grabbed a Taser from one of many officers and fled, firing it at Rolfe as he ran. Rolfe fired his gun, and an post-mortem discovered that Brooks was shot twice within the again.
Then-Police Chief Erika Shields resigned lower than 24 hours after the capturing.
Rolfe was fired the day after Brooks died, however his dismissal was reversed in Could 2021 by the Atlanta Civil Service Board. The board discovered that town didn't comply with its personal procedures for disciplinary actions.
"Because of the Metropolis's failure to adjust to a number of provisions of the Code and the knowledge acquired throughout witnesses' testimony, the Board concludes the Appellant was not afforded his proper to due course of," the board mentioned in a five-page determination. "Subsequently, the Board grants the Enchantment of Garrett Rolfe and revokes his dismissal as an worker of the APD."