Atlanta

Rally held in support of former Atlanta officer charged in Rayshard Brooks’ death

By Tom Regan, WSB-TV
By Tom Regan, WSB-TV

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The former Atlanta police officer granted bond in the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks is now waiting to be released from jail.

A judge granted Garrett Rolfe a $500,000 bond with conditions during a hearing Tuesday afternoon. Rolfe has been charged with murder following the death of Brooks during a struggle outside the Wendy’s on University Avenue.

Channel 2′s Tom Regan watched as a group of about 30 supporters stood throughout the day outside the Gwinnett jail to rally behind Rolfe. Supporters applauded the judge’s decision to grant bond.

“Finally some justice in this case, that’s been rushed. He’s been denied so many things,” Kevin Klingman said.

Rally outside the Gwinnett County Jail in support of former Atlanta cop charged with fatal shooting of man outside Wendy’s. They say it was clearly self defense. Demanding bond for Garrett Rolfe.

Posted by Tom Regan on Tuesday, June 30, 2020

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Heather Herring said the evidence she has seen, especially the video of Brooks pointing a stolen taser at an officer, is a clear case of self defense.

“Once you assault a police officer and take their weapon and try to use a weapon on them at that point you give them no option of self defense,” Herring told Regan.

Tiara Perez, whose husband is a police officer, also voiced her support for Rolfe.

“I don’t think it’s racially motivated. I think this is an officer doing his job and trying to come home safely to his family. Like all of them want to do,” Perez said.

Rally held in support of former Atlanta officer charged in Rayshard Brooks’ death Tiara Perez holds her "blue lives flag" at a rally outside the Gwinnett County Jail in support of former Atlanta officer Garrett Rolfe. Perez said her husband is a police officer and came to show support.

Regan was told the Georgia Law Enforcement Organization will put up the bond money for Rolfe’s release. In Gwinnett County, that’s 10 percent cash of the total bond.

Supporters hoped to show some encouragement with balloons and signs at Rolfe’s release. As of Tuesday night, he has not been released.

There are a lot of security concerns surrounding the case. Regan learned the law enforcement organization will drive Rolfe to an undisclosed location when he is released.

The other officer involved in the arrest and death of Brooks bonded out of jail last week. Officer Devin Brosnan is charged with aggravated assault and two counts of violation of oath.

Attorneys for both officers have said their clients’ actions were justified.

Brooks’ family released the following statement on Rolfe’s bond:

“While the family of Rayshard Brooks is disappointed that his killer was granted bond today, they understand that this is just one step in the long quest for justice for Rayshard. Rather than looking at this process as a series of ‘wins’ or ‘losses,’ it’s imperative that we continue to push for systemic change within our criminal justice system. From hate crime laws being passed to increasing oversight of members of law enforcement, our job is to ensure that positive change comes from this tragic situation. We will be diligent in our pursuit of justice for this family and will do everything in our power to make sure that Rayshard Brooks did not lose his life in vain.”

Rayshard Brooks: Former Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe granted $500,000 bond A Fulton County judge granted bond to a former Atlanta police officer charged with murder in the shooting of Rayshard Brooks.





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