Current:Home > InvestPolice officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City' -FundPrime
Police officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City'
View
Date:2025-04-13 07:48:14
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! (86769)
Related
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Activist Rev. Al Sharpton issues stark warning to the FTC about two gambling giants
- Jennifer Lopez shuts down question about Ben Affleck divorce: A timeline of their relationship
- Brittany Mahomes Shares Sweet Insight Into Family Life With Patrick Mahomes, Kids and Dogs
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Trump aide Walt Nauta front and center during contentious hearing in classified documents case
- Remaining wrongful death lawsuit filed after deadly Astroworld concert has been settled, lawyer says
- Defunct 1950s-era cruise ship takes on water and leaks pollutants in California river delta
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Florida attorney general says state will investigate Starbucks for DEI practices
Ranking
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Tennessee attorney general looking into attempt to sell Graceland in foreclosure auction
- Pennsylvania lawmakers question secrecy around how abuse or neglect of older adults is investigated
- Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs coach Andy Reid stand by Harrison Butker after controversial graduation speech
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Chelsea Lazkani Breaks Silence on Divorce After Estranged Husband Accused Her of Being Violent
- Jay Park reveals what he's learned about fame and how it 'could change in an instant'
- Most Jersey Shore beaches are in good shape as summer starts, but serious erosion a problem in spots
Recommendation
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
Deaths deemed suspicious after bodies were found in burned home
Explorers discover possible wreckage of World War II ace Richard Bong’s plane in South Pacific
Minneapolis to host WWE SummerSlam 2026 — and it will be a two-day event for the first time
SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
New Zealand man filmed trying to body slam killer whale in shocking and stupid incident
Who Are Sam and Nia Rader? Meet the Couple at the Center of Netflix's Ashley Madison Docuseries
NBA great Dwyane Wade launches Translatable, an online community supporting transgender youth