Current:Home > reviewsPolice officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City' -Wealth Nexus Pro
Police officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City'
View
Date:2025-04-13 00:51:23
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! (73)
Related
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Multiple children killed in Tuesday night fire after Connecticut house 'engulfed in flames'
- Fans Think Taylor Swift’s Resurfaced 2009 Interview Proves Travis Kelce Is End Game
- Chief judge is replaced in a shakeup on the North Carolina Court of Appeals
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Saved $1 million for retirement? Here's where your money will last the longest around the U.S.
- Deer crashes through windshield, kills 23-year-old Mississippi woman: Reports
- Amy Robach shares why she would 'never' go back to hosting daytime TV, talks divorce
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Next Republican debate will only feature Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis
Ranking
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Sheikh Hasina once fought for democracy in Bangladesh. Her critics say she now threatens it
- Andy Cohen Claps Back at Jen Shah for Calling Him Out Amid RHOSLC Finale Scandal
- Ethnic armed group battling Myanmar’s military claims to have shot down an army helicopter
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Why you should keep your key fob in a metal (coffee) can
- Mother and uncle of a US serviceman are rescued from Gaza in a secret operation
- U-Haul report shows this state attracted the most number of people relocating
Recommendation
Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
Myanmar’s military government pardons 10,000 prisoners to mark Independence Day
Starbucks' 2024 winter menu has Pistachio Latte, new snacks – and more ways to use your own cup
Is Patrick Mahomes playing in Chiefs' Week 18 game? Kansas City to sit QB for finale
What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
Carbon monoxide poisoning sends 49 people to hospital from Utah church
Bangladesh court sentences Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to 6 months in jail for violating labor laws
Select EVs kicked off tax credit list in 2024 will be discounted $7,500 by General Motors