AN IRISH American man is one of two officers charged in relation to the killing of Rayshard Brooks, a black man who died after being shot twice in the back.
Officer Devon Brosnan was the first officer on the scene when responding to reports of a man having fallen asleep at the wheel in the drive-thru of a Wendy's fast food restaurant in Atlanta, US.
A second officer, Garret Rolfe, arrived on the scene shortly after.
During the incident, Brooks spoke with the two officers for over 40 minutes, and began to struggle when officers attempted to place him in handcuffs.
It is understood that neither officer had explained to Brooks that he was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.
Rayshard Brooks grabbed one officer's taser and fired it at them before attempting to run, and was shot twice in the back by Garret Rolfe as he fled. It is reported that Rolfe then kicked the man as he lay dying.
Prosecutors say the use of the non-lethal taser did not hold an "imminent threat" to the officers' lives and therefore did not constitute the use of lethal force.
Officer Brosnan has been charged with aggravated assault as he failed to provide medical assistance to Rayshard Brooks after he had been shot, instead standing on his shoulder as the injured man bled out on the ground.
The second officer, Garrett Rolfe, is charged with eleven counts, including felony murder, aggravated assault and various charges of violating police procedures, according to Inside Edition.
Rayshard Brooks died in hospital shortly after being shot twice int he back by former officer Garret RolfeBrosnan, whose surname originates from County Kerry, will testify against former officer Rolfe as a witness for the prosecution, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard has stated, a decision which was been welcomed by Christ Stewart, attorney for Brooks' family.
Following Mr Brooks' death, protesters took to the streets of Atlanta, demanding justice for Mr. Brooks.
Demonstrators closed down a major highway, Interstate-75, on Saturday evening as part of the protest while the Wendy’s restaurant where the incident took place was set on fire.
The circumstances around the shooting has prompted police chief Erika Shields handed in her resignation.
