Current:Home > StocksPolice officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City' -Secure Growth Solutions
Police officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City'
View
Date:2025-04-18 04:40:04
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! (421)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Six-legged spaniel undergoes surgery to remove extra limbs and adjusts to life on four paws
- Iran launches satellite that is part of a Western-criticized program as regional tensions spike
- Brutally cold weather expected to hit storm-battered South and Northeast US this weekend
- Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
- Emily in Paris star Ashley Park reveals she went into critical septic shock while on vacation
- Todd Helton on the cusp of the Baseball Hall of Fame with mile-high ceiling broken
- 37 Massachusetts communities to get disaster aid for last year’s flooding
- Taylor Swift Cancels Austria Concerts After Confirmation of Planned Terrorist Attack
- Two British warships collided in a Middle East port. No one was injured but damaged was sustained
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- 13 students reported killed in an elementary school dorm fire in China’s Henan province
- Lily Collins, Selena Gomez and More React to Ashley Park's Hospitalization
- Jaafar Jackson shows off iconic Michael Jackson dance move as he prepares to film biopic
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Iran launches satellite that is part of a Western-criticized program as regional tensions spike
- Winter blast in much of U.S. poses serious risks like black ice, frostbite and hypothermia.
- Emily in Paris star Ashley Park reveals she went into critical septic shock while on vacation
Recommendation
Michigan lawmaker who was arrested in June loses reelection bid in Republican primary
Documents say Fulton County DA Fani Willis was booked on flights bought by prosecutor with whom she's accused of having affair
Opinion: George Carlin wasn't predictable, unlike AI
Why Jillian Michaels Is Predicting a Massive Fallout From Ozempic Craze
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
18 Finds That Are Aesthetic, Practical & Will Bring You Joy Every Day Of The Year
As the Northeast battles bitter winter weather, millions bask in warmer temps... and smiles
Pete Buttigieg’s Vision for America’s EV Future: Equitable Access, Cleaner Air, Zero Range Anxiety