Atlanta Officer Fired After Black Deacon Died from Being Tasered

*An Atlanta police officer who electrically shocked a 62-year-old Black church deacon with a stun gun, leading to the man’s death, has been fired. 

Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said Officer Kiran Kimbrough failed to follow departmental procedures during the arrest of Johnny Hollman Sr. on Aug. 10. He was fired after an internal investigation concluded Monday.

We reported previously that Hollman became unresponsive during what the Atlanta Police Department called “several minutes of struggling” with the arresting officer, 11 Alive reports. According to Essence.com, Hollman was involved in a minor car crash while on his way home from bible study. After calling 911, he waited for more than an hour for the police, according to Hollman’s family.

When officers arrived, Officer Kimbrough determined that Hollman was at fault, but he allegedly refused to sign the traffic ticket.

As Essence reports, a report from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) states that Kimbrough determined Hollman was “responsible for the crash and attempted to take him into custody” but Hollman “became agitated and uncooperative with Kimbrough,” writes progressive media outlet People’s World. 

Two months after 62-year-old Johnny Hollman Sr. died during a traffic ticket arrest, the involved Atlanta police officer was fired. See more here: https://t.co/9Dyje1vzkV

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) October 11, 2023

The officers were investigating the crash when Hollman “became non-compliant and the officer attempted to take Hollman into custody,” according to the GBI. Kimbrough allegedly had no choice but to use force against the deacon.

“Part of my job is to assess, evaluate, and adjust how this police department is carrying out its sworn mission to serve and protect the citizens of this city,” Schierbaum said in a statement. “I understand the difficult and dangerous job that our officers do each and every day throughout the city. I do not arrive at these decisions lightly.”

Kimbrough had been on administrative leave since the incident. In a statement through his attorney, Lance LoRusso, the former officer “vehemently denies any wrongdoing or policy violations.”

“Our client is a decorated law enforcement officer and looks forward to the release of the entire investigation,” LoRusso said. “The loss of any life is tragic. However, Officer Kimbrough’s actions in detaining Mr. Hollman and making a lawful arrest did not cause Mr. Hollman’s death.”

Kimbrough plans to appeal his firing.

READ MORE: Atlanta Police Refuse to Release Footage of Deacon Killed During Traffic Stop | Video

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