Current:Home > InvestPolice officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City' -VitalWealth Strategies
Police officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City'
View
Date:2025-04-12 22:02:07
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! (2267)
Related
- Matt Damon remembers pal Robin Williams: 'He was a very deep, deep river'
- New York governor urges Biden to help state with migrant surge
- The first Republican debate's biggest highlights: Revisit 7 key moments
- See you on Copacabana? Unusually balmy weather hits Brazil in a rare winter heat wave
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- These are 5 ways surging mortgage rates are reshaping the housing market
- Schools could be getting millions more from Medicaid. Why aren't they?
- Washington OKs killing 2 wolves in southeastern part of state after cattle attacks
- Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
- How 'Back to the Future: The Musical' created a DeLorean that flies
Ranking
- Clay Aiken's son Parker, 15, makes his TV debut, looks like his father's twin
- Alex Murdaugh friend pleads guilty to helping steal from dead maid’s family
- Vincennes University trustees vote to expand Red Skelton Performing Arts Center
- Plane crash believed to have killed Russian mercenary chief is seen as Kremlin’s revenge
- Euphoria's Hunter Schafer Says Ex Dominic Fike Cheated on Her Before Breakup
- Stock market today: Asian shares mostly rise after Wall Street rally
- Australian, US, Filipino militaries practice retaking an island in a drill along the South China Sea
- Emperor Penguin Breeding Failure Linked With Antarctic Sea Ice Decline
Recommendation
Mega Millions winning numbers for August 6 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $398 million
Prigozhin’s purported demise seems intended to send a clear message to potential Kremlin foes
Montana man sentenced to federal prison for threatening to kill US Sen. Jon Tester
Gun control already ruled out, Tennessee GOP lawmakers hit impasse in session after school shooting
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
Maui County files lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric Company over deadly wildfires
When does 'The Morning Show' Season 3 come out? Release date, cast, trailer
AP Week in Pictures: North America