A police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta will be charged with murder and assault, officials have confirmed.
Garrett Rolfe will be charged will felony murder and ten other charges, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced on Wednesday.
Rolfe kicked Mr Brooks while he lay on the ground. The officer with him, Devin Brosnan, stood on Mr Brooks' shoulder as he struggled for life after the confrontation outside a fast-food restaurant.
Rolfe has already been fired from the Atlanta police force. Meanwhile, Brosnan, who will be charged with aggravated assault and other crimes, had been placed on administrative leave.
Mr Brooks' widow, Tomika Miller, attended the news conference along with her lawyers, Justin Miller and L. Chris Stewart.
The news came as Republicans on Capitol Hill unveiled a package of police reform measures.
The shooting on Friday sparked new demonstrations in Georgia's capital against police brutality, after turbulent protests in response to George Floyd's death in Minneapolis had largely simmered down.
Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned less than 24 hours after Mr Brooks died.
Police were called to a Wendy's fast food restaurant over complaints of a car blocking the drive-thru lane.
An officer found Mr Brooks asleep behind the wheel of the car and called for another officer to do field sobriety testing.
Police body camera video shows Mr Brooks and officers having a relatively calm and respectful conversation for more than 40 minutes before tensions suddenly escalated.
Mr Brooks wrestled with officers, snatched one of their stun guns and turned and pointed it at one of them as he ran through the parking lot.
An autopsy found that Mr Brooks was shot twice in the back.
.jpg?w=600)
