Atlanta officer charged with felony murder in the death of Rayshard Brooks

An Atlanta police officer who was fired following the killing of Rayshard Brooks on June 12, is facing 11 charges, one of them being felony murder—a charge that could possibly result in the death penalty, reports CBC News.

Brooks lost his life during an altercation with Atlanta police in a Wendy's parking lot on June 12. Employees at Wendy's called police when Brooks was found asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane of the fast food restaurant. Police responded, and after Brooks failed a sobriety test, officers attempted to arrest him.

What happened next was caught on video, and it has played across the airwaves. There was a struggle as officers tried to detain Brooks, and Brooks tried to escape their custody. It was after Brooks took a taser from one of the officers and attempted to flee that Atlanta Police Officer Garrett Rolfe shot him.

The shooting led to the resignation of Atlanta Police Chief Erica Shields.

Paul Howard, a Fulton County District Attorney shared the news about Officer Garrett Rolfe's having been brought up on charges during a news conference on Wednesday.

In his discussion of the charges, he focused on the aftermath of the shooting, saying that Rolfe proceeded to kick Brooks as he was laying on the ground. Devin Brosnan, the other officer at the scene, has been accused of putting his weight on Brooks’ shoulder while Brooks lay dying.

Body camera footage shows a lengthy conversation between Brooks and the officers which is fairly calm for the most part. Once the officers determine that Brooks should be taken into custody, Brooks resists. This is when the violence began.

Howard said testimony has been given by Brosnan who is now being charged with crimes including aggravated assault. Rolfe has been fired, while Brosnan has been placed on desk duty. Brosnan is reportedly cooperating with the District Attorney's office.