The Fulton County DA Paul Howard has just announced that he’s charging the now-fired police officer in Atlanta, Garrett Rolfe, who shot Rayshard Brooks in self-defense with felony murder:
BREAKING: Officer Garrett Rolfe faces 11 charges including felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the death of #RayshardBrooks, according to Fulton County DA Paul Howard pic.twitter.com/KKcE7ZzInN
— Courtney Bryant (@CourtneyDBryant) June 17, 2020
LATEST: Fulton County's district attorney announces felony murder and aggravated assault charges against Garrett Rolfe, the former officer who shot 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks pic.twitter.com/Iz1FXKGmMa
— Bloomberg QuickTake (@QuickTake) June 17, 2020
The DA is pulling out all the technicalities he can in order to justify this ridiculous murder charge:
DA Paul Howard also points out that firing a taser OR a gun is not allowed when a suspect is running away, according to #Atlanta police guidelines
— Courtney Bryant (@CourtneyDBryant) June 17, 2020
He’s also claiming that the other officer who was involved in trying to arrest Brooks has become a states witness and will be releasing a statement against his partner:
Fulton County DA says Officer Brosnan has become a state's witness and will testify against Officer Rolfe in the death of Rayshard Brooks.
— Ken Yeung (@thekenyeung) June 17, 2020
Fulton County DA: Arrest warrants for Officers Rolfe and Brosnan have been issued and have been asked to surrender themselves by tomorrow. $50,000 bond is being asked for Brosnan as he's going to become a state's witness against Rolfe.
— Ken Yeung (@thekenyeung) June 17, 2020
Howard accuses Rolfe of kicking Brooks while he was on the ground fighting for his life, showing a picture to prove his claim:
BREAKING: Fulton County DA on actions of officers after Rayshard Brooks was shot: "Officer Rolfe actually kicked Mr. Brooks while he laid on the ground, while he was there fighting for his life." A second officer stood on Brooks' shoulders, the DA says. https://t.co/pZgZ377kZV pic.twitter.com/67O9Gcz7lL
— Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) June 17, 2020
Is it possible Rolfe and Brosnan made some mistakes while trying to restrain Brooks? Sure. If he actually kicked him while laying on the ground dying, as the DA suggests, that won’t be a good thing. But I suspect there’s probably more to this story. And remember, things were happening at a super fast pace. From what I could see Rolfe acted appropriately and responsibly given the threat against him and this murder charge is despicable.