Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms today announced the resignation of the city’s Chief of Police, Erika Shields, after the death of a 27-year-old African-American man was reported after he was shot by a police officer in Atlanta. last Friday night.
“Her decision is to leave the position of chief of police. She will continue to work with the city in a function yet to be determined … but she steps aside,” said the mayor of Atlanta, who has also asked that the agent who was involved in the death of Rayshard Brooks.
For her part, Shields has issued a statement in which she has assured that she has decided to leave office due “to the deep love she has for the city” after more than two decades working in this body, according to CNN.
“Mayor Bottoms has my support in the future direction of this department. I have confidence in the mayor and it is time for the city to move forward and work on trust between the forces of the law and the communities they work for,” he said. the former Atlanta Police Chief.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported that it has opened an investigation into Brooks’ death. The man underwent a breathalyser test and tested positive, then resisted arrest and grappled with officers. One of the police officers took out the laser and, according to a witness, Brooks took it. Then one of the officers shot him. He was transferred to a hospital, where he died. An agent was treated and released immediately.
This incident comes amid the global wave of protests against racism and police violence caused by the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis in a police arrest.
