Atlanta to pay a Million bucks to the Family of a man Killed by Police

The Atlanta City Council has voted unanimously to approve a $1 million settlement with the widow of Rayshard Brooks, more than two years after he was shot and killed by a police officer.

Two officers confronted the 27-year-old black man at an Atlanta Wendy’s restaurant on June 12, 2020, after receiving complaints that he was sleeping and blocking the drive-thru.

After speaking with Brooks for 40 minutes, officers Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan attempted to arrest him for DUI. Brooks then grabbed one of the officer’s tasers and began running away. He suddenly turned around and fired the taser at officer Rolfe who then fatally shot Brooks.

The settlement comes three months after a Georgia special prosecutor announced he would dismiss charges against Rolfe and Brosnan in connection with the case, saying the officers acted appropriately in using deadly force. Prosecutor Peter Skandalakis said the use of deadly force was “objectively reasonable” and that he did not believe race played a role in the shooting.