Atlanta Police Officer Fired After Using Stun Gun on Church Deacon Who Died During Arrest

In a tragic incident that has rocked the Atlanta community, Johnny Hollman, a 62-year-old church deacon, died after being shocked with a stun gun and handcuffed by former Officer Kiran Kimbrough. The encounter occurred on August 10 following a minor traffic accident, and body camera footage of the incident has left Hollman's family devastated.

Hollman's daughter, Arnitra Fallins, spoke out about the distressing video, stating that she became physically ill while watching her father scream for help and repeatedly express his inability to breathe. Fallins revealed that her father had called her during the encounter, and she could hear him pleading with the officer. "I could hear him screaming and hollering for help. I could hear him saying he couldn't breathe. I could hear him saying his asthma was acting up," she said. The footage deeply affected Fallins, who described feeling sick to her stomach and disturbed by the officer's actions.

The Atlanta Police Department announced on Tuesday that Officer Kimbrough had been fired for failing to follow standard operating procedures during the arrest. The department's initial statement claimed that Hollman had become "agitated and uncooperative" when he was determined to be at fault for the accident and issued a citation. Authorities alleged that Hollman resisted arrest, leading to a struggle with the officer. Kimbrough then used his stun gun and handcuffed Hollman before realizing that he was unresponsive and calling for emergency medical services. An autopsy confirmed that Hollman's death was a homicide, with heart disease cited as a contributing factor.

However, Attorney Mawuli Davis, representing the Hollman family, disputed the police's version of events. Davis stated that the body camera footage showed Kimbrough escalating the situation and engaging in unreasonable and illegal actions. According to Davis, the video depicted Hollman requesting a sergeant and expressing his willingness to sign the citation. Instead of complying with Hollman's request, Kimbrough allegedly performed a leg sweep on him, leading to a struggle and the use of the stun gun. Davis claimed that Hollman could be heard saying "I can't breathe" as many as 16 times during the altercation.

The family has called for the release of the footage to the public, but the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has requested that the police department withhold it until their investigation is complete. While the investigation is ongoing, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum made the decision to terminate Officer Kimbrough, citing his failure to follow department procedures by not having a supervisor present during the arrest. Schierbaum acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and emphasized the importance of due process.

Kimbrough's attorney, Lance J. LoRusso, issued a statement asserting that his client denies any wrongdoing or policy violations. LoRusso stated that Kimbrough plans to appeal his termination, claiming that it was based on his failure to call for a supervisor when Hollman refused to sign the citation.

The Hollman family is still grappling with the loss of their loved one. Fallins expressed her grief, remarking that they should not be visiting the cemetery but rather enjoying time with her father. She described Hollman as a God-fearing man and a leader in his community, urging people not to be swayed by the police's portrayal of him as combative and aggressive. Davis echoed Fallins' sentiments, calling the incident an unjustifiable homicide and demanding that the officer be charged.

As the investigation continues, the Atlanta Police Department has implemented policy changes to allow officers to write "refusal to sign" on traffic tickets instead of arresting individuals who decline to sign. The department clarified that a signature on a ticket is merely an acknowledgment of receipt and not an admission of guilt.

The community eagerly awaits the public release of the body camera footage, which is expected once witnesses have been interviewed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting its own investigation, and both agencies are working in conjunction with the police department.

While the incident has raised questions about the actions of the police officer involved, it has also sparked conversations about police procedures and the use of force. The tragic death of Johnny Hollman serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency within law enforcement.