Former Atlanta Officers Were Charged in Brooks Shooting Before Investigation Was Completed

Two former Atlanta police officers were charged in the fatal shooting of a man at a Wendy's parking lot before agents completed their work, according to a news release.

NTD Newsroom

Published: 6/18/2020, 6:51:42 AM EDT

Former Atlanta Officers Were Charged in Brooks Shooting Before Investigation Was Completed — Atlanta officer Garrett Rolfe (L) and officer Devin Brosnan. (Atlanta Police Department)

Two former Atlanta police officers were charged in the fatal shooting of a man at a Wendy's parking lot before agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) completed their work, according to a news release.

Officials with the Atlanta Police Department asked the GBI to investigate the June 12 shooting of Rayshard Brooks at a Wendy's in Atlanta.

"We are in the process of conducting this investigation. Although we have made significant progress in the case, we have not completed our work," the GBI said in the release.

Former Atlanta Police officer Garret Rolfe was charged Wednesday with felony murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the slaying of Brooks. The second officer, Devin Brosnan, was placed on administrative leave after the incident. He faces three charges, including aggravated assault.

The GBI said that they were not aware of the Wednesday press conference, where Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said the two former officers would be charged.

"Our goal in every officer-involved shooting case we are requested to review, is to complete a thorough, impartial investigation before we submit the file to the respective district attorney’s office," the release stated.

"We were not consulted on the charges filed by the district attorney. Despite [Wednesday's] occurrence, the GBI will complete its mission of completing an impartial and thorough investigation of this incident and we will submit the file, once completed, to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office," the release stated.

Brooks was killed in a Wendy's parking lot in Atlanta after Rolfe and Brosnan responded to a 911 call about a man who seemed intoxicated sleeping in his car in the drive-through. The caller reportedly told the dispatcher that Brooks was parked in the middle of the drive-through, forcing other cars to drive around his vehicle.

Rayshard Brooks speaking with officer Garrett Rolfe as Rolfe writes notes during a field sobriety test in the parking lot of a Wendy's restaurant in Atlanta, Ga., late June 12, 2020. (Atlanta Police Department via AP) — Rayshard Brooks speaking with officer Garrett Rolfe as Rolfe writes notes during a field sobriety test in the parking lot of a Wendy's restaurant in Atlanta, Ga., late June 12, 2020. Atlanta Police Department via AP

Police body camera video shows Brooks and officers having a relatively calm and respectful conversation for more than 40 minutes before things rapidly turned violent. Brooks wrestled with officers, snatched one of their stun guns, and turned and pointed it at one of them as he ran through the parking lot.

An autopsy revealed Brooks was shot in the back twice.

The shooting sparked new demonstrations in Georgia’s capital against police brutality, after occasionally turbulent protests in response to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis had largely simmered down. Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned less than 24 hours after Brooks died.

Amid the protests, the Wendy's location was burned to the ground. Police and fire officials have released photos of two suspects who might be responsible for the arson.

People suspected of setting a Wendy's on fire after Rayshard Brooks's shooting in Atlanta, Ga. (Atlanta Fire Department) — People suspected of setting a Wendy's on fire after Rayshard Brooks's shooting in Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta Fire Department

Jack Phillips and The Associated Press contributed to this report.