Officer Who Fatally Shot Rayshard Brooks As He Fell Asleep In Wendy’s Parking Lot On Paid Leave For Allegedly Assaulting Another Black Man

Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe, who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in 2020, is once again under scrutiny—this time for allegedly assaulting a Black bar employee at Midtown X. Rolfe, who was off duty at the time, was placed on paid administrative leave after reportedly initiating a fight with Raefeal Penrice over the price of drinks. Witnesses told WSB-TV that the conflict escalated when Rolfe’s friend accused Penrice of overcharging. Penrice then asked them to leave, but according to bystanders, “that’s when Rolfe attacked Penrice.”

Despite eyewitness accounts identifying Rolfe as the aggressor, only Penrice was arrested. “He’s such a nice guy – he’s always made everyone feel very safe,” said the bar owner. “It’s absolutely heinous that after several eyewitnesses told the arresting officers that it was in fact the off-duty police officer who threw the first punch, yet he was still the one taken to jail.” Another witness added, “This man was just doing his job… and it’s scary – that law enforcement can do this.”

This latest incident revives public outrage surrounding Rolfe’s past. In June 2020, Rolfe shot 27-year-old Rayshard Brooks in the back outside a Wendy’s after Brooks fell asleep in the drive-thru. After speaking with Brooks for roughly 40 minutes, officers attempted to arrest him. Brooks resisted, grabbed Officer Devin Brosnan’s Taser, and fled. Bodycam footage showed Brooks pointing the Taser behind him as he ran—prompting Rolfe to shoot and kill him. Rolfe was initially fired, later reinstated, and charged with felony murder and several other counts. Charges were ultimately dropped.

These new allegations have reignited calls for accountability. Social media users reacted swiftly: “Justice for Rayshard Brooks! The streets aren’t safe with this racist cop on them,” one person posted on X. Another wrote, “That cop should have never been cleared for that murder… How hard was it to get the man to move his car and not escalate this?”

The case remains a flashpoint in the ongoing conversation about police accountability, with many questioning how Rolfe remains on the force. “Not this cop again,” one user summed up the public sentiment.

Link: Atlanta Black Star

If you’ve lost someone to fatal violence under police or while incarcerated, apply to our Autopsy Initiative for a free independent autopsy here:  https://www.knowyourrightscamp.org/autopsyinitiative