Current:Home > ScamsPolice officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City' -USAMarket
Police officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City'
View
Date:2025-04-24 13:06:34
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! (3852)
Related
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's Daughter Lucie Shares Rare Photo With Brother Desi Jr.
- Serena Williams Calls Out Parisian Restaurant for Denying Her and Her Kids Access
- Sabrina Carpenter Makes Rare Comment About Boyfriend Barry Keoghan
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Save 75% on Lands' End, 70% on Kate Spade, 60% on Beyond Yoga, 60% on Wayfair & Today's Best Deals
- A guide to fire, water, earth and air signs: Understanding the Zodiac elements
- Stock market recap: Wall Street hammered amid plunging global markets
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Suburban New York county bans wearing of masks to hide identity
Ranking
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- US wrestler Amit Elor has become 'young GOAT' of her sport, through tragedy and loss
- Kehlani's ex demands custody of their daughter, alleges singer is member of a 'cult'
- Sammy Hagar calls Aerosmith's retirement an 'honorable' decision
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Bloomberg gives $600 million to four Black medical schools’ endowments
- Tropical Storm Debby is expected to send flooding to the Southeast. Here’s how much rain could fall
- Family of 4 from Texas missing after boat capsizes in Alaska, report says
Recommendation
Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Lemon Drop
Save 75% on Lands' End, 70% on Kate Spade, 60% on Beyond Yoga, 60% on Wayfair & Today's Best Deals
What is a carry trade, and how did a small rate hike in Japan trigger a global sell-off?
The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
Why Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles bowed down to Rebeca Andrade after Olympic floor final
Elon Musk sues OpenAI, renewing claims ChatGPT-maker put profits before ‘the benefit of humanity’
Hiroshima governor says nuclear disarmament must be tackled as a pressing issue, not an ideal