An autopsy has revealed that the death of a 62-year-old church deacon in Atlanta, which occurred on August 10th, was ruled as a homicide. The medical examiner determined that while the cause of death was due to the electrical shock administered by an Atlanta police officer, heart disease also played a contributing role. The victim, Johnny Hollman, became unresponsive during his arrest following a minor car crash. The officer deployed an electrical stun gun on Hollman, who had refused to sign a traffic ticket, before proceeding to handcuff him.

In response to this incident, the city of Atlanta has revised its policy, allowing officers to write "refusal to sign" on a traffic ticket instead of resorting to immediate arrest when encountering non-compliant individuals. The newly implemented policy requires officers to inform drivers that signing the ticket does not signify guilt but rather acknowledges receipt and the court date. This change was made in an effort to prevent similar situations from escalating unnecessarily.

Recently, the Atlanta City Council demanded the release of the video footage capturing the incident. However, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), currently conducting an inquiry into the officer's actions, has requested that the Atlanta Police Department refrain from releasing the video until their investigation is concluded. The GBI emphasizes the importance of adhering to proper investigative protocols and ensuring due process during the subsequent administrative hearing. Although the video has not been widely released, it has been shown to members of Hollman's family, as they seek answers regarding his untimely demise.

Legal representatives advocating for Hollman's family question the rationale behind withholding the video, arguing that the GBI has already interviewed witnesses. Melissa Sims-Stanley, who reviewed the video and spoke with a GBI investigator, stated that Hollman appeared unresponsive after being shocked, as reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Hollman's daughter, Arnitra Fallins, recounted that her father was on his way home after purchasing fried chicken and an apple pie when he was involved in a collision with another vehicle. Fallins claims that Hollman called the police to investigate the accident, but tensions escalated when the authorities determined that he was at fault and attempted to issue him a citation. Hollman's refusal to sign the ticket led to his subsequent arrest and physical struggle with the arresting officer, Kiran Kimbrough, according to the GBI. It was during this altercation that Kimbrough deployed the stun gun. Currently, Kimbrough is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

The lawyers representing the Hollman family allege that it was Kimbrough who initiated the struggle after Hollman requested the presence of a police sergeant due to his disagreement with the officer's determination of fault. "You can hear Mr. Hollman begging for him to stop," attorney Mawuli Davis asserted. Fallins, who was on the phone with her father during the incident, hurried to the scene upon hearing his cries for help. Devastated by the events, she expressed her sentiments to WXIA-TV, stating, "You know when you hear something, you can imagine what's happening. But to actually witness it, you know, the piece from the body cam. Now we get the results back from the autopsy. Again, it confirms what I already knew."

In light of Hollman's tragic death, a GoFundMe campaign aimed at supporting his family has garnered more than $6,800 in donations as of Monday morning. The community's response reflects the growing discontent with the police force among some residents of Atlanta, particularly regarding the construction of a public safety training center. The incident involving Hollman serves as a catalyst for discussions surrounding police conduct and the need for changes to ensure the safety and fair treatment of all citizens.