Current:Home > reviewsPolice officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City' -TruePath Finance
Police officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City'
View
Date:2025-04-12 09:08:05
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! (7)
Related
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Aidan Hutchinson's gruesome injury casts dark cloud over Lions after major statement win
- Jamie Foxx Shares Emotional Photos From His Return to the Stage After Health Scare
- Travis Hunter injury update: Colorado star left K-State game with apparent shoulder injury
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Flash Sale Alert: Save 44% on Apple iPad Bundle—Shop Now Before It’s Gone!
- 1 adult fatally shot at a youth flag football game in Milwaukee
- Biden will survey Hurricane Milton damage in Florida, Harris attends church in North Carolina
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Quentin Tarantino's 'Pulp' players: A guide to the actors who make his 'Fiction' iconic
Ranking
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- U.S. Army soldier sentenced for trying to help Islamic State plot attacks against troops
- NFL Week 6 injury report: Live updates for active, inactive players for Sunday's games
- Suspect in deadly Michigan home invasion arrested in Louisiana, authorities say
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Texas still No. 1, Ohio State tumbles after Oregon loss in US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 7
- Texas still No. 1, Ohio State tumbles after Oregon loss in US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 7
- Why Aoki Lee Simmons Is Quitting Modeling After Following in Mom Kimora Lee Simmons' Footsteps
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Trump’s campaign crowdfunded millions online in an untraditional approach to emergency relief
Demi Moore Shares Update on Bruce Willis Amid Battle With Dementia
NFL Week 6 injury report: Live updates for active, inactive players for Sunday's games
Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
Peso Pluma cancels Florida concerts post-Hurricane Milton, donates to hurricane relief
Basketball Hall of Fame officially welcomes 2024 class
Wisconsin officials require burning permits in 13 counties as dry conditions continue