ATLANTA — The Atlanta police officer who shot and killed a Black man after a confrontation at a Wendy’s in 2020 is under investigation again.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
This time, Ofc. Garrett Rolfe is on paid leave after police say he was involved in a bar fight.
His attorney said Rolfe was the victim. Several witnesses say that he threw the first four punches and should have gone to jail Sunday morning.
Those witnesses were afraid to go on camera, especially after they said they watched Rolfe attack a bar worker, and when police arrived, they arrested the worker who goes by the name Ray. His real name is Raefeal Penrice.
“He’s such a nice guy – he’s always made everyone feel very safe and I think its absolutely heinous that after several eyewitnesses told the arresting officers that it was in fact the off-duty police officer who threw the first punch, yet he was still the one taken to jail,” said a witness who spoke to Channel 2’s Tyisha Fernandes on the phone.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Buckhead business owner says remote workers he trusted turned out to be North Koreans who stole $1M
- Victim, suspect identified in Jonesboro slaying that led to SWAT standoff in Griffin
- Ross Harris, father accused of leaving son in hot car to die, released from jail
Witnesses told Channel 2 Action News this all started when Rolfe’s friend accused a bartender of overcharging for drinks at Bar 10 in midtown Atlanta.
They started arguing, and the bar worker escorted the officer and his friend outside. Multiple witnesses said the officer attacked Penrice.
The bar owners said they’re determined to get their employee out of jail and clear his name.
“This man was just doing his job. He watches the door and makes everyone feel safe, and I just can’t believe this has unfolded the way it has – and it’s scary – that law enforcement can do this,” said a witness.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
In 2022, charges were dropped against Rolfe and Ofc. Devin Brosnan in the death of Rayshard Brooks.
Brooks was killed during a confrontation outside an Atlanta Wendy’s on June 12, 2020.
Police said Brooks fell asleep in the drive-thru line at the Wendy’s.
Body cameras showed Rolfe and Brosnan, having a calm and respectful conversation with Brooks for more than 40 minutes after complaints that the 27-year-old had fallen asleep in his car in a Wendy’s drive-thru lane.
When officers told him he’d had too much to drink to be driving and tried to handcuff him, Brooks resisted.
When police responded, he struggled with officers, grabbed one officer’s Taser and tried to run away. Rolfe shot him to death after police say Brooks’ pointed the Taser at Rolfe’s head, according to police.
Body camera video showed the events leading to Brooks’ death play out.
©2025 Cox Media Group
