US protests: Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe charged with murder of Rayshard Brooks
- Fatal shooting of 27-year-old black man further heightened racial concerns amid nationwide protests sparked by death of George Floyd
- Rolfe faces possibility of life in prison or death penalty if convicted
A fired Atlanta police officer has been charged with felony murder and another officer faces lesser charges in the shooting death last week of Rayshard Brooks in the car park of a fast-food restaurant, a Georgia county prosecutor said on Wednesday.
The death of the 27-year-old Brooks – another in a long line of African-Americans killed by police – further heightened racial concerns in the United States at a time of national soul-searching over racism and police brutality.
Garrett Rolfe, the white officer who shot Brooks on June 12 and was fired the next day after surveillance video showed his actions, faces 11 charges including felony murder and assault with a deadly weapon, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard told a news conference in Atlanta.
Rolfe faces the possibility of life in prison or the death penalty if convicted, Howard added. Felony murder is charge that can be brought when a person kills someone while committing another felony.
Devin Brosnan, another white officer who was on the scene, was charged with aggravated assault and violations of his oath of office, Howard added. Brosnan, who has been placed on administrative leave, will cooperate with prosecutors, Howard said.