An Atlanta police officer will be charged with murder for shooting a 27-year-old man in the back, justice officials announced Wednesday in the latest case to spark anger over police killings of African Americans.
Atlanta District Attorney Paul Howard said police officer Garrett Rolfe had no justification for shooting Rayshard Brooks as he fled, and aggravated the case by kicking Mr Brooks' body as he lay on the ground bleeding.
He also said that Mr Rolfe and fellow officer Devin Brosnan violated multiple police department regulations after they detained Brooks when he was found sleeping in his car in the drive-up line at a local Wendy's fast food restaurant on 12 June.
"We concluded that, at the time that Mr Brooks was shot, he did not pose an immediate threat of death or serious physical injury to the officers," Mr Howard said.
Mr Brooks' shooting came less than three weeks after a Minneapolis police officer's killing of handcuffed African American George Floyd on 25 May fuelled a national uproar over police brutality.
An undated photo showing Rayshard Brooks Source: EPA
The new killing has ignited fresh anger and protests.
Mr Howard said a warrant was issued for Mr Rolfe's arrest on 11 counts including felony murder - a homicide committed in the course of another felony crime - aggravated assault, and multiple counts of violating police procedures.
The murder count could bring the death penalty or life in prison.
Mr Brosnan, who has agreed to become a witness for the state in the investigation, faces three charges including aggravated assault.
Rayshard Brooks' widow Tomika Miller (R) in court awaiting the announcement of charges Source: EPA
Elsewhere, Senate Republicans announced an ambitious police-reform package including an enhanced use-of-force database, restrictions on chokeholds and new commissions to study law enforcement and race.
The 106-page bill is not as sweeping as a Democratic proposal set for a House vote next week but it shows how swiftly the debate has been transformed since Mr Floyd's death.
The Senate's lone black Republican, Tim Scott of South Carolina, led a task force of senators in compiling the package and spoke of his own experiences being stopped by police.
"We hear you," he said to the families of people killed by police.
"We're listening to your concerns."
Additional reporting by AP.
