Atlanta police officer fired after fatally shooting black man Rayshard Brooks

Rayshard Brooks 

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An Atlanta police officer was fired early Sunday following the fatal shooting of a black man which triggered unrest and new waves of protests in the city. Rayshard Brooks, 27, was fatally shot by police at a Wendy's drive thru after officials said he resisted arrest and stole an officer's Taser. The Fulton County Medical Examiner said on Sunday, an autopsy found that Brooks suffered two gunshot wounds to his back and he died of organ injuries and blood loss. The manner of death was listed as a homicide.

The fired officer, Garrett Rolfe was hired by the department in October 2013. Devin Brosnan another officer at the scene was placed on administrative duty.

Rolfe's firing follows the resignation of the city's police chief Erika Shields who left the department just a day after the deadly shooting. Former Assistant Chief Rodney Bryant who is black will serve as the city's interim police chief. 

Shields said, i have faith in the mayor and it is time for the city to move forward and build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Police said, Brooks fell asleep in the Wendy's drive-thru on Friday night and had failed a sobriety test. When police tried to take him into custody Brooks resisted and stole a Taser from an officer.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation citing surveillance video that was released to the public and said, Brooks ran from the officers and at one point aimed the Taser at police before the officer fired his weapon.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said, while there may be debate as to whether this was an appropriate use of deadly force, I firmly believe that there is a clear distinction between what you can do and what you should do. I do not believe that this was a justified use of deadly force.

Brooks was taken to a local hospital where he died after surgery. One officer was treated for an injury and discharged from the hospital.

Brooks' eldest daughter turned 8 years old the day after his death. His family said, he planned on taking her skating on Saturday but he never returned home. She had her birthday dress on. She was waiting for her dad to come pick her up and take her.

Brooks has three daughters ages 1, 2 and 8, and a 13 year old stepson. Tomika Miller who was married to Brooks for eight years.

Miller said, It was murder that was not justified. He was shot running away. He wasn't dangerous. He wasn't coming at them in any kind of way to where they felt a threat, they shouldn't have felt threatened.

Miller never imagined she'd be in the same position as the family of George Floyd, a 46 year old who died in the custody of Minneapolis police.

Miller said, I want them to go to jail. I want them to deal with the same things as if it was my husband who killed somebody else. If it was my husband who shot them, he would be in jail. He would be doing a life sentence.

Brooks' niece, Chassidy Evans said, Not only was he a girl dad, he was a loving husband, caring brother and most importantly, to me, an uncle I could depend on. Rayshard Brooks was silly had the brightest smile and the biggest heart and loved to dance since we were kids.

Police said, Brooks' death ignited angry demonstrations in the city. Protesters on Saturday set fire to the Wendy's restaurant where Brooks was killed and shut down an interstate highway in both directions. At least 36 people were arrested.