ATL pig fired for shooting 22 year old black man who attempted to drive away from the pigs...

APD names officer fired after shooting 22-year-old man

ATLANTA -- An Atlanta Police officer who fatally shot a man suspected of breaking into cars was terminated from the department on July 12, an APD spokesperson told 11Alive News. The officer was identified as James Burns.

Sgt. Warren Pickard said the department made the decision after an internal investigation into the June 22 incident.

"An internal investigation revealed [the officer] used unnecessary and unreasonable force" in the fatal shooting, Pickard said.

Pickard said Chief George Turner has dismissed the officer, effective July 12.He had been with the APD since 2013.

A statement released by the APD on Monday said,"Chief George Turner has always prioritized officer accountability and professional behavior. He will continue to take decisive action when necessary to hold his employees to the highest standard."

Last month, 22-year-old Deravis Rogers, was shot and killed by an Atlanta police officer as he attempted to drive away from police. According to the Atlanta Police Department’s Major Adam Lee, an off-duty officer at the Monroe Place apartment complex in the 2100 block of Monroe Drive noticed someone he suspected of breaking into cars and contacted additional officers for assistance.

When officers arrived, the suspect jumped into a vehicle in an attempt to flee the scene. Officer Burns fired his weapon at the suspect, striking him in the head.

Rogers was later pronounced dead at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Atlanta Police say at the time of the shooting, Burns did not know the race of the person inside the vehicle. Police said they never found any actual evidence of car break-ins at the scene.

The GBI is currently investigating the incident. Once completed, the findings will be turned over to the Fulton County District Attorney, who will determine whether to file charges against the officer.