Atlanta Cop Charged With Murder In Shooting Of Unarmed Black Man

Former Atlanta police officer James Burns, who fatally shot 22-year-old Devaris Rogers, has been charged with murder, aggravated assault and violation of oath of office. Police say Burns failed to comply with the department’s policy when he shot and killed an unarmed man without identifying who the person was.

After a thorough investigation, prosecutors concluded that the young Black man neither made attempts to attack officer nor posed any threat to the public.

An arrest warrant was issued over the week for the 34-year-old white officer, who responded to a backup call from a security officer about an alleged car theft outside a northeast Atlanta apartment complex on June 22. Burns was taken to the Fulton County jail on Saturday.

Burns was fired a week later after finding out that he used excessive force against a harmless and unarmed motorist. Burns reported that Rogers tried to run him over, but the video shows contrary to what he said.

The Atlanta Police Department’s action against Burns came as a result of protests in Atlanta and other major cities of recent killings of Black men. This year has been one of the worst years in terms police violence against Blacks and people of color. Hundreds of innocent Black men have been murdered by cruel cops like Burns, and most of these officers haven’t been punished for any of their crimes – that shows the true color of our justice system.

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