RAYSHARD Brooks was shot several times by members of the Atlanta police department after he was found sleeping in his car in a Wendy’s parking lot on June 12.
Brooks, 27, was tased and shot by officer Garret Rolfe after he and partner Devin Brosnan found Brooks asleep at the wheel of the drive-thru on University Avenue in southwest Atlanta.
He was taken to hospital where he later died.
Brooks, a father of four, was killed hours before he was due to celebrate his 8-year-old daughter’s birthday.
Melissa Rolfe is the stepmom of Garret Rolfe, the Atlanta police officer who shot Rayshard Brooks.
Rolfe gained media attention when, on Tuesday June 15, Georgia congressional candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted a message that she claimed to receive from the stepmom.
The message read: “My name is Melissa Rolfe. My son is the Atlanta officer currently in the news.
“Our family has been completely devastated by all of this nonsense.
“I have heard how you feel on many topics and agree with you 100%.
“I pray you are victorious. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.”
On Thursday, June 18, Rolfe was fired from Equity Prime Mortgage’s HR department for creating a “hostile working environment.”
A day later, Taylor Greene tweeted a photograph with Melissa with the caption: “Great to visit this morning with Officer Garrett Rolfe’s stepmother, Melissa, in my office. Please say prayers for their family.”
The congressional hopeful also included a link to Garrett Rolfe’s defense fund.
According to Equity Prime Mortgage, Rolfe was fired for her actions in the work place and for violating company policy.
In a statement, the company said: “As an employer, it is imperative to maintain a safe environment for all employees.
“Melissa Rolfe’s termination was a direct result of her actions in the workplace and violation of company policy.
“While working with Melissa as she transitioned to a leave of absence granted by our organization, we discovered she violated company policy and created an uncomfortable working environment for many of our employees.
“As an HR director, she ultimately lost the confidence of her peers, leadership and many employees who no longer felt comfortable engaging with her.
“We value diversity of thought and respect Melissa’s personal views and the views of all employees; however, when those views create a hostile working environment, we must make difficult decisions to part ways.”
Brooks was found asleep in his car at 10.33pm in the drive-thru parking lot of a Wendy’s in southwest Atlanta on June 12.
Officers Rolfe and Brosnan approach the car, asking Brookes to wake up and step out. They ask a series of questions pertaining to Brook’s sobriety before breathalyzing him.
Brooks fails the test and the officer attempts to arrest him. He is seen running from the police then pointing a taser gun back at the two officers that he had taken from their grasp.
He is then shot multiple times by an officer who appears to shout, “I got him!”
Brooks, who had previously spent time in prison, was later taken to hospital where he died.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has released a 46-minute surveillance video of the incident, stating that Brooks resisted arrest.
Bodycam footage shows Brooks speaking calmly and cooperating with officers before the scuffle.
Attorney for the Brooks family, Justin Miller, said in a news conference on Saturday, June 13, that Brooks had planned a weekend of celebrations for his daughter’s 8th birthday.
He took her to get her nails done earlier on the evening that he was killed, and the two had planned more activities together the day after.
“She had her birthday dress on because she was waiting for her dad to come pick her up to take her to go skating,” Miller said.
“While we were over there, they had a birthday party for her eighth birthday today with cupcakes … while we were sitting there talking with her mom about why her dad’s not coming home.”
Garrett Rolfe was later fired from the police for, with the Mayor of Atlanta saying his use of lethal force was not justified.
Garrett Rolfe has been charged with felony murder, five counts of aggravated assault, one count of first-degree criminal damage to property and four counts of violation of oath for allegedly shooting Brooks in the back
Felony murder carries a possible sentence of life, life without parole, or the death penalty, District Attorney Paul L. Howard Jr. said.
Video showed Rolfe “kicked” Brooks “as he fought for his life,” Howard said.
Brosnan faces three charges, including a count of aggravated assault and two violations of oath, the DA said.
Howard said Brosnan will testify on behalf of the state – against his partner.
Rolfe has surrendered to authorities on Thursday, June 18, and is being held in Fulton County jail.
Authorities asked for a bond of of $50,000 for Brosnan, and Rolfe is recommended to have no bond, Howard said.
