Current:Home > MyPolice officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City' -WealthSphere Pro
Police officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City'
View
Date:2025-04-14 19:42:16
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! (21)
Related
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- New Red Lobster CEO dined as a customer before taking over: Reports
- The Latest: Harris and Trump are prepping for the debate but their strategies are vastly different
- Granola is healthier than you might think, but moderation is still key
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Horoscopes Today, September 9, 2024
- Billie Jean King wants to help carve 'pathway' for MLB's first female player
- Amy Adams Makes Rare Comments About 14-Year-Old Daughter Aviana
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Fantasy football buy/sell: J.K. Dobbins dominant in Chargers debut
Ranking
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- House Republicans push to link government funding to a citizenship check for new voters
- How to Watch the 2024 MTV VMAs on TV and Online
- Olympian Abbey Weitzeil Answers Swimming Beauty Questions You’ve Wondered About & Shares $6 Must-Haves
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- 2024 Halloween costume ideas: Beetlejuice, Raygun, Cowboys Cheerleaders and more
- Where is the next presidential debate being held? Inside historic venue
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Walk the Plank
Recommendation
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
As summer winds down, dogs around the country make a splash: See pictures of doggy dip days
How We Live in Time Helped Andrew Garfield's Healing Journey After His Mom's Death
Shailene Woodley Shares Outlook on Love 2 Years After Aaron Rodgers Breakup
Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
NFL Week 2 injury report: Puka Nacua, Jordan Love top the list after Week 1
New search opens for plane carrying 3 that crashed in Michigan’s Lake Superior in 1968
Powerball winning numbers for September 7: Jackpot climbs to $112 million