GA - Rayshard Brooks, 27, fatally shot in Wendy’s car park, Atlanta, 12 Jun 2020 *officer charged*

[Rocco]

I am asking if there was any alternative to the guy asleep in his car because he was too drunk after celebrating his daughter’s 8th b-day to end up dead. And mind you, I am not thinking about BLM, but just as anything else who ended up drunk publicly.

My husband said, “could they just shoot him in the leg?” I said, no. I understand that when police shoots, they shoot to kill.

But before? As I have said, I bet that any policeman has friends who have issues with alcohol, some drink themselves because alcohol is legal, are we to shoot all of our alcoholics and addicts?

Are they allowed to register high blood alcohol level, call a relative, ask to drive the guy home, let him or them pick up the car in AM, and later, yes, slap him with a fine and mandatory AA visits? Make him pay, make a year of AA visits miserable for him, but not dead.

I am not blaming the officer. I am thinking that deescalation is not taught well, probably, because too often people respond with violence to show of force. It is human nature.

And then the city pays to all the victims. Because drunk driving is a mistake. Sleeping in the driveway...I’d expect the guy to be in the ER, not in morgue.

Again, not blaming this concrete officer. I think that there are ways out before it turns deadly. They always need to be explored. Because the guy...mom died a year ago, daughter turned 8, so he drank too much. Human factor.

'are we to shoot all of our alcoholics and addicts?'

Only if they shoot at us first.

He wasn't shot for being drunk.

 

[squareandrabbet]

'are we to shoot all of our alcoholics and addicts?'

Only if they shoot at us first.

He wasn't shot for being drunk.

Plus, I'd really like to know what is the nonviolent play. Should the police have arranged for the car to be towed with Mr. Brooks in it? Once the tow truck started its thing, what if Mr. Brooks, still asleep, had been one of those people with a gun, and startled, took aim and fired at someone through the windshield? The outcome would have been worse - for the cops.

The guy had to go, and not by waving a magic wand; because they most likely literally cannot "move his car for him", etc. I've also seen enough episodes of the banned "Cops" to know this is standard behavior for detainees. Detainee seems reasonable, until all of a sudden they flip out and start fleeing for their lives, hopped up on superhuman adrenaline flooding. In this case, they were literally working on Mr. Brooks patiently for half an hour, and they still were getting nowhere. "You had 1.5 drinks? 1.5 drinks of what?" "Oh, I dunno..." Gee, if I have 1.5 drinks you'd better believe I'm not confused about what I've been drinking, because it's pretty easy to remember whether or not it's Jaeger bombs, Long Island Iced Teas, Coca-Cola, or Coors. He was clearly signaling he was lying.

 

[tresir2012]

In the article posted above, written to inflame and incite without a clear understanding of what transpired, the author chooses to point to the race of both parties. Also the choice of wording in the statement "...after he was shot in an encounter with police". An "encounter" ? Really ? This was not an encounter! This was physically resisting arrest and shooting a police issued weapon at the police! There was not one bit of racial animosity that I saw during the videos I have watched. And the MSM keeps going for the kill shot

If you are referring to the BBC article I posted, that is our national public service broadcaster that is posting that. They are not funded by advertising but by a licence fee paid by the general public and administered by the UK Gov. This type of article is going to get them defunded. But that's another story. Unfortunately, every article being posted by MSM has a bias, even the famous once respected BBC ones.

 

[lisaNYC]

For doing the right thing they no longer have jobs, and Wendy's has one of their restaurants in ruins like so many other businesses have suffered the same fate including many minority own businesses.
Jmho

BBM-People think of Wendy's as a chain restaurant when it's a franchise. So this store was owned and operated by a small business owner who may not recover. And please, I know that life is more important than things, so (anyone who wants to argue that point) spare me that argument. There was no reason that Wendy's should have been burned down.

 

[ilovewings]

Atlanta officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks has been terminated

There are two videos of the incident, including surveillance video from Wendy's. The other video was provided by a witness who requested anonymity due to privacy concerns.

The video from the eyewitness begins in the middle of the struggle between Brooks and two police officers. In the video, an officer is heard telling Brooks to "stop fighting" and "hands off the taser."

"The fight started when they tried to make an arrest ... after that he took a taser and took off," the witness said.

As the scuffle broke up, the video shows Brooks beginning to run from the officers and he is seen holding what appears to be a stun gun in his right hand. It appears one of the officers fires their stun gun at Brooks three times as he runs away.

Shortly after Brooks and one of the officers run by the car of the eyewitness taking the video, a second officer runs by, following Brooks.

Three shots are then heard out of frame.

The Wendy's surveillance video doesn't show the scuffle, but shows Brooks running away from where police cars are parked. In that video, Brooks appears to point the stun gun at the Atlanta officer.

"At that point the Atlanta officer reaches down and retrieves his weapon from his holster, discharges it, strikes Mr. Brooks there on the parking lot and he goes down," the GBI director said in a press conference on Saturday.

The eyewitness is heard saying in additional video obtained by CNN that Brooks was still breathing as he lay on the ground.

The Medical Examiner has determined this case is a homicide so i imagine the officer will be arrested and charged.

 

[Rocco]

The Medical Examiner has determined this case is a homicide so i imagine the officer will be arrested and charged.

Not if it's found to be a justifiable homicide.

 

[shotgun09]

The Brooks family was just on TV, ( no link sorry) asking and begging for more protests and money. Wife had already stated she demands an arrest.

 

[tresir2012]

In Ga. You can't drive while drunk even on private property. In fact, regardless if you are driving or not, if the keys are in the ignition, and you are behind the wheel, you can be charged. The engine doesn't even have to be running.
The question I have is this... If that cop thought he was passed out drunk, then why did he tell him to drive the car?

In UK if you are sleeping in your car with the keys you are considered in charge of the car. They can even chase you to your own property to breathalyse and arrest you. No 40 minute conversation or sobriety test. If you refuse the test you will be arrested and the penalty is the same as if you were intoxicated. Ie. Loss of your driving licence.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Justin Timberlake Pays Tribute to Rayshard Brooks With Heartbreaking Picture

"As a dad, this photo hurts. #RayshardBrooks was a father of three girls...1, 2, and 8 years old. He should not be dead," the performer wrote. "Neither should #RiahMilton, #DominiqueFells, and #RobertFuller. This week, these four innocent people became victims of racism, violence, and intolerance. And we're still waiting for Justice for #BreonnaTaylor. I'm heartbroken for their families and for this country."
⠀
Timberlake continued, "The system needs to change... it has repeatedly shown us that Black people in America are not safe. I'll follow up with more resources and ways to help. Continue to SAY THEIR NAMES. #BlackLivesMatter."

Jamie Foxx responded in a comment, "God bless you JT. This hurts my heart. I appreciate and commend you for speaking out Over this. It means the world."

Billie Eilish also spoke out about Brooks' killing, writing on her Instagram account, "Man F--K. watching this video made me so f--king angry. F--K THIS S--T. JUSTICE FOR RAYSHARD BROOKS. F--K THIS S---------T. #justiceforrayshard !!!! WHY ISNT EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT THIS??"

 

[Curiosity1234]

"The demoralization of our Police continues"

That^^^ is the goal of BLM. Demoralize them, Criminalize them, Villify them.

Where is the support system for Officer Rolfe ? There isn't any.

 

[Cryptic]

'are we to shoot all of our alcoholics and addicts?'

Only if they shoot at us first.

He wasn't shot for being drunk.

It depends on what the drunk and addicts are shooting.

If the officer knew it was a taser (and there is a pretty good to extremely good chance that he did), then lethal force is very questionable.

The Mayor of Atlanta made a very good, but very low key comment when she observed that being able to do something does not always mean that one needs to do something.

The above aside, I am very supportive of the police and the need to prevent looting. Trump was right to call out the National Guard once he saw that looting had moved from spontaneous to systematic.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Rayshard Brooks: Atlanta police killing lawful but awful, experts say

Three experts consulted by USA TODAY said there were better options.

Kalfani Ture, an assistant professor of criminal justice at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, served as a police officer in the Atlanta metropolitan area for five years. Ture said the Atlanta Police Department is highly regarded for its training, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Sunday that Rolfe had taken a nine-hour course on deescalation alternatives in late April.

And yet, he decided to shoot.

“Would I have shot Rayshard Brooks? My answer is no,’’ Ture said. “It’s a questionable use of force, but there are many officers who may find this a lawful use of force. So, it’s one of those things we call in law enforcement ‘lawful but awful,’ meaning that the officer could have taken alternative action that did not result in the civilian’s death.’’

But, he said, "I was not running after someone that had a police weapon in a parking lot of patrons."

While Ward said he was never in a situation in which "a subject overpowered two officers and took their weapon" during his nearly 30-year career, he still believed Rolfe reacted too quickly with force.

Asked if the Atlanta officer had better options, he said, "For me: Yes."

Andy Harvey, a former Dallas police officer and current police chief of Ennis, Texas, said the officers didn’t have to arrest Brooks despite him registering above the legal blood-alcohol limit for driving.

“They could have taken other alternatives before getting to that point where they felt they had to take action,’’ Harvey said. “How do we resolve this? Is there a cab you could call, or a family member who can come pick him up?’’

Harvey said police officers are taught their life may be in danger when a suspect takes away one of their weapons, and that might have contributed to Rolfe's decision to shoot Brooks.

But Harvey said members of law enforcement need to realize the use of force has to be far down their list of tools, especially at a time when their actions are drawing scrutiny with a number of African Americans – often unarmed – dying at the hands of police.

“We’re living in a different world now. What the community expects from us has changed,’’ Harvey said. “When an officer does something egregious, they’re expected now to file charges against him, and even more so now with the sentiment around the country.’’

 

[tresir2012]

They absolutely did the right thing by calling 911. They certainly couldn't approach him not knowing if he was dangerous or not. That is why people call 911 for help millions of times a year.

For doing the right thing they no longer have jobs, and Wendy's has one of their restaurants in ruins like so many other businesses have suffered the same fate including many minority own businesses.

What did any of these business owners do to deserve having their businesses ruined with some never being able to reopen again. These violent lawless groups think they have a right to destroy anything they choose.

Imo, it shows none of them really give a tinker's dam about the deaths of these men.

If they truly cared they would care about every single life they lose, and not just those who allows them to spill out on pur streets constantly committing very violence acts THEMSELVES.

Since all of this began many more police officers have been attacked while trying to protect the peaceful protestors.

It's in the high hundreds now, with some severely injured even still on life support now, and some ambushed, and shot dead.

How much blood of innocent police officers have to spill out on our streets before their lust for violent attacks against them are satisfied?

The hypocrisy is so obvious as they say black men are more likely to lose their lives now due to being killed by white cops or Covid. I just heard those ridiculous words uttered again by a FNN guest. I dont see how they can say these things repeatedly with a straight face. Imo, they must think everyone are stupid as rocks. If they would just tell the truth I would have more respect for them. It's as if they think no one knows about all of the large inner cities taking the lives of more black men by their own race. Do they not wonder why their population isn't increasing, and why?

More black men have lost their lives due to being murdered in ONE SINGLE DAY than those who were unarmed, and killed by LE officers in a single year. Where is the outrage about who takes their lives far more often?

Imo, when only a part of the truth, and facts are only allowed to be said, and the entire truth, and facts are continuously suppressed .....not allowed to be spoken the entire truth will never be known.

This constant conveniently picking, and choosing who's life matters makes no sense. Imo.

It makes even less sense by the group title of Black Lives Matter when the only time the lives seem to matter are when they are killed by a white cop. Why is that?

How many unarmed black men are shot, and killed by a cop of all races each year? And were they really no threat to the officer? Mike Brown was also an unarmed suspect yet was extremely dangerous.

We have seen cases where suspects were unarmed, but they used their own strength to brutally murder their victims by beating, and kicking their victims to death.

So unless we know the particulars of each shooting of unarmed suspects of all races we will continue to not have all the facts. I even believe the FBI list those who used only their strength were considered deadly weapons.

In fact I would rather be shot, and killed (although i pray i never fall prey) than being beatened, and kicked to death.

We have seen cases where sadistic murderers kicked their victims in the head over, and over again causing the skull to shatter into pieces.

So I think there isn't much of anything that couldnt be considered as a deadly weapon including being unarmed, but using their own strength to cause horrific deaths.

Imo, we need all of the facts to be front, and center being discussed just like we always do in ALL murder cases we follow.

Jmho

ITA. I suggest posters look at the Javier Ambier thread where he was chased in his vehicle and crashed then was tazed by a black cop and had his finger broken while being filmed by Live PD and he died. So much for a tazer not being a deadly weapon. We have a thread here. Only two posts on it so far. The incident happened 15 months ago. No protests or riots AFAIK.

TX - Javier Ambler, unarmed man killed in police custody on LIVE PD, Austin, 28 Mar 2019

IMO maybe Black (Cops) Lives Matter more than white ones.

Awful but lawful. Have to remember that quote.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

I’m sick and tired of the lack of support for the LE officers who are out there risking their lives to serve and protect communities that have zero respect for them. For all of those who think LE is garbage please don’t call them when you need them.

 

[SugarQueen]

The simplest truth IMO..... Brooks took what could have been a few hours of sleeping it off and escalated it by resisting, and fighting the officers. Brooks then stole the tazer, firing it at the officer while running. Brooks, and Brooks alone decided how this was going to go.
Moo, IMO, and all that jazz.

 

[SugarQueen]

I’m sick and tired of the lack of support for the LE officers who are out there risking their lives to serve and protect communities that have zero respect for them. For all of those who think LE is garbage please don’t call them when you need them.

ITA! As I’ve stated before, IMO, If you won’t stand up FOR our officers, don’t bother trying to hide behind them when you need them.

 

[Rocky1]

It depends on what the drunk and addicts are shooting.

If the officer knew it was a taser (and there is a pretty good to extremely good chance that he did), then lethal force is very questionable.

The Mayor of Atlanta made a very good, but very low key comment when she observed that being able to do something does not always mean that one needs to do something.

The above aside, I am very supportive of the police and the need to prevent looting. Trump was right to call out the National Guard once he saw that looting had moved from spontaneous to systematic.

I agree.
What I got from the Mayor's statement was that he "was able" to shoot, meaning it was justified.
She knows this, She's just playing politics , and I believe that's why the chief quit IMO.
If he was allowed to, then why did she twist it and say it was unjustified? Who fired him? The Mayor, or the Chief?
I believe that's why he was fired out right rather than placed on administrative leave pending an investigation like any cop would have been placed on a month ago.
She caved IMO.

 

[Sillybilly]

ADMIN NOTE:

Generalized bashing of law enforcement is not allowed. Stick to discussing LE as it relates specifically to this case and don't make blanket derogatory statements about LE.

Thanks.

 

[Cryptic]

Every self defense gun instructor stresses no one can hesitate to react in threatening situations.

Very true.

It should be added that responsible fire arms instructors also stress that threatening situations need to be truly threatening and cannot be based on the broad and fuzzy "If I say I was threatened, then I was" type "reasoning".

One instructor in my area does not even teach "Stand Your Ground" as he fears people will misapply the concept and think that they can start trawling for confrontations. Likewise, he teaches that having a weapons permit does not give anyone arrest authority, nor does it make one a "block warden" of sorts.

Rather, his special tactic is to simply leave when ever possible. Of course, it is not always possible to leave.... .

 

[tresir2012]

Rayshard Brooks: Atlanta police killing lawful but awful, experts say

Three experts consulted by USA TODAY said there were better options.

Kalfani Ture, an assistant professor of criminal justice at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, served as a police officer in the Atlanta metropolitan area for five years. Ture said the Atlanta Police Department is highly regarded for its training, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Sunday that Rolfe had taken a nine-hour course on deescalation alternatives in late April.

And yet, he decided to shoot.

“Would I have shot Rayshard Brooks? My answer is no,’’ Ture said. “It’s a questionable use of force, but there are many officers who may find this a lawful use of force. So, it’s one of those things we call in law enforcement ‘lawful but awful,’ meaning that the officer could have taken alternative action that did not result in the civilian’s death.’’

But, he said, "I was not running after someone that had a police weapon in a parking lot of patrons."

While Ward said he was never in a situation in which "a subject overpowered two officers and took their weapon" during his nearly 30-year career, he still believed Rolfe reacted too quickly with force.

Asked if the Atlanta officer had better options, he said, "For me: Yes."

Andy Harvey, a former Dallas police officer and current police chief of Ennis, Texas, said the officers didn’t have to arrest Brooks despite him registering above the legal blood-alcohol limit for driving.

“They could have taken other alternatives before getting to that point where they felt they had to take action,’’ Harvey said. “How do we resolve this? Is there a cab you could call, or a family member who can come pick him up?’’

Harvey said police officers are taught their life may be in danger when a suspect takes away one of their weapons, and that might have contributed to Rolfe's decision to shoot Brooks.

But Harvey said members of law enforcement need to realize the use of force has to be far down their list of tools, especially at a time when their actions are drawing scrutiny with a number of African Americans – often unarmed – dying at the hands of police.

“We’re living in a different world now. What the community expects from us has changed,’’ Harvey said. “When an officer does something egregious, they’re expected now to file charges against him, and even more so now with the sentiment around the country.’’

No way this was egregious. He was doing his job.