Atlanta’s police chief has resigned after the fatal shooting of an African-American man who had fallen asleep in his car at a drive-through restaurant.
Rayshard Brooks, 27, was shot by a police officer during a struggle on Friday evening, authorities say.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Erika Shields handed in her resignation on Saturday.
Protesters in Atlanta took to the streets this weekend calling for action following Mr Brooks’ death.
On Saturday evening, demonstrators closed down a major highway, Interstate-75, in Atlanta. The Wendy’s restaurant outside which Mr Brooks died was also set on fire.
Over the past three weeks, people across the US have been protesting over the death of George Floyd, a black man in police custody.
Erika Shields had served as police chief since December 2016 and had worked in the Atlanta police department for more than 20 years. She will continue with the department in another role, Mayor Bottoms said.
“Because of her desire that Atlanta be a model of what meaningful reform should look like across this country, Chief Shields has offered to immediately step aside as police chief so that the city may move forward with urgency and rebuilding the trust so desperately needed throughout our communities,” the mayor said in a statement.
One of the Atlanta police officers involved in the shooting, Garrett Rolfe, has been dismissed, and the other, Devin Bronsan, has been put on administrative duty. They have served for six and two years in the Atlanta police, respectively.
BBC
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