Current:Home > MyEthermac|Police officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City' -Capitatum
Ethermac|Police officers won't face charges in fatal shooting of protester at 'Cop City'
Fastexy Exchange View
Date:2025-04-06 08:58:53
None of the Georgia State Police troopers involved in the fatal shooting of Manuel "Tortuguita" Teran will face charges,Ethermac 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! (133)
Related
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Dozens of Maine waterfront businesses get money to rebuild from devastating winter storms
- More money could result in fewer trips to ER, study suggests
- Kate Middleton Shares Royally Sweet Photo of Prince George in Honor of His 11th Birthday
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Biden’s decision to drop out leaves Democrats across the country relieved and looking toward future
- Charmed's Holly Marie Combs Reveals Shannen Doherty Promised to Haunt Her After Death
- Billy Joel on the 'magic' and 'crazy crowds' of Madison Square Garden ahead of final show
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Pilot living her dream killed in crash after skydivers jump from plane near Niagara Falls
Ranking
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Is it possible to live without a car? Why some Americans are going car-free
- What to know about Kamala Harris' viral coconut tree meme: You exist in the context of all in which you live
- Mamie Laverock speaks out for first time after suffering 5-story fall: 'My heart is full'
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- LeBron James selected as Team USA male flagbearer for Paris Olympics opening ceremony
- Utah wildfire prompts mandatory evacuations
- 2024 Olympics: Breaking Is the Newest Sport—Meet the Athletes Going for Gold in Paris
Recommendation
Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
The Mitsubishi Starion and Chrysler conquest are super rad and rebadged
ACC commissioner promises to fight ‘for as long as it takes’ amid legal battles with Clemson, FSU
Mamie Laverock speaks out for first time after suffering 5-story fall: 'My heart is full'
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Plane crashes near the site of an air show in Wisconsin, killing the 2 people on board
Travis Kelce’s Training Camp Look Is a Nod to Early Days of Taylor Swift Romance
Which country has the most Olympic medals of all-time? It's Team USA in a landslide.