Current:Home > StocksPolice officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City'-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Police officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City'
View Date:2024-12-23 20:54:38
None of the Georgia State Police troopers involved in the fatal shooting of Manuel "Tortuguita" Teran will face charges, according to Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney George R. Christian.
Teran, who used they/them pronouns, was shot and killed by police on Jan. 18 as officers raided campgrounds occupied by environmental demonstrators who had allegedly been camping out for months to protest the development of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, dubbed "Cop City" by critics.
According to an autopsy of Teran sent to ABC News, they did not have gunpowder residue on their hands. Officials claimed Teran fired the first shot at a state trooper. Officers then responded with gunfire.
In Friday's announcement that no charges would be filed, Christian wrote that Teran responded to officers firing "less lethal" pepperball rounds by "shooting four (4) times his 9 mm pistol through the tent striking and seriously injuring a Georgia State Trooper. Six Troopers returned fire resulting in the death of Teran."
"The use of lethal (deadly) force by the Georgia State Patrol was objectively reasonable under the circumstances of this case," Christian wrote. "No criminal charges will be brought against the Georgia State Patrol Troopers involved in the shooting of Manuel Perez Teran."
MORE: DeKalb County releases autopsy in 'Cop City' protester Manuel Teran's death
Teran had at least 57 gunshot wounds in their body, according to the autopsy, including in the hands, torso, legs and head.
An independent autopsy from the family found that Teran’s hands were raised during the fatal shooting, however, the DeKalb County autopsy stated, "There are too many variables with respect to movement of the decedent and the shooters to draw definitive conclusions concerning Mr. Teran's body position."
The DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office had ruled the death a homicide.
The Georgia Attorney General's Office is conducting its own investigation into the shooting.
ABC News' Jason Volack and Bill Hutchinson contributed to this report.
veryGood! (34356)
Related
- Love Is Blind’s Chelsea Blackwell Reacts to Megan Fox’s Baby News
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Belly Up
- Lands’ End 75% off Sale Includes Stylish Summer Finds, Swimwear & More, Starting at $11
- ACOTAR TV Show Update Will Have Book Fans Feeling Thorny
- Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on Veterans Day? Here's what to know
- Paris Olympics set record for number of openly LGBTQ+ athletes, but some say progress isn’t finished
- Full House's Jodie Sweetin Defends Olympics Drag Show After Candace Cameron Bure Calls It Disgusting
- Woman killed and 2 others wounded in shooting near New York City migrant shelter
- Saving for retirement? How to account for Social Security benefits
- New Jersey judge rejects indictment against officer charged with shooting man amid new evidence
Ranking
- Review: 'Emilia Pérez' is the most wildly original film you'll see in 2024
- When's the next Federal Reserve meeting? Here's when to expect updates on current rate.
- Watch this toddler tap out his big sister at Air Force boot camp graduation ceremony
- Taylor Swift “Completely in Shock” After Stabbing Attack at Themed Event in England
- Jon Gruden joins Barstool Sports three years after email scandal with NFL
- Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's Son Pax Hospitalized With Head Injury After Bike Accident
- 'Ugly': USA women's basketball 3x3 must find chemistry after losing opener
- Federal appeals court rules against Missouri’s waiting period for ex-lawmakers to lobby
Recommendation
-
Mike Tyson impresses crowd during workout ahead of Jake Paul fight
-
Disney Store's new Halloween costumes include princesses, 'Inside Out 2' emotions
-
Did Katie Ledecky win? How she finished in 1500 free heat, highlights from Paris Olympics
-
Detroit woman who pleaded guilty in death of son found in freezer sentenced to 35 to 60 years
-
After years of unrest, Commanders have reinvented their culture and shattered expectations
-
Investigation finds at least 973 Native American children died in abusive US boarding schools
-
UCLA ordered by judge to craft plan in support of Jewish students
-
Des Moines officers kill suspect after he opened fire and critically wounded one of them, police say