Current:Home > MyWhat we know about Atlanta man's death at hands of police -AssetFocus
What we know about Atlanta man's death at hands of police
View
Date:2025-04-16 19:22:16
The family of Johnny Hollman, the 62-year-old Atlanta man who died last month after he was shocked with a stun gun by a police officer, is planning a march Saturday, calling for the public release of body camera footage of the altercation.
"My father is a true son of Atlanta. He grew up in Bankhead Courts and he was respected throughout our community. As a family, we called for this March because the video should be released so Atlanta can truly be transparent," Arnitra Hollman, Hollman's daughter, said in a statement Friday. "We are asking for Atlanta to turn out for our family."
Earlier this month, Hollman's family was shown the body-worn camera footage of the interaction between Hollman and an Atlanta Police Department officer that occurred after Hollman was in a minor car accident.
After finishing bible study, Hollman was on his way home when he got into a minor car accident, according to his family.
MORE: Man charged with murder after killing his sister and 6-year-old niece in head-on car crash
Hollman called 911 and waited for over an hour for police to arrive, his family says. When officers arrived on the scene, they determined Hollman was at fault and issued him a traffic ticket, according to Atlanta police.
Hollman asked to see a sergeant, but the officer allegedly ignored him and told Hollman he would be taken to jail if he did not sign the ticket, according to the family.
Despite allegedly telling the officer he would sign the ticket, the officer grabbed him and took him to the ground and began using a stun gun on him, according to the family.
Hollman allegedly told the officer "I can't breathe" as many as 16 times, according to a statement from his family.
Hollman was later pronounced dead at Grady Hospital.
MORE: 'Whatever happened, they killed my dad': Daughter on father's deadly police encounter
Atlanta police say Hollman became "agitated and uncooperative" before the officer attempted to take him into custody.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation also said amid the investigation into the car accident Hollman became "non-compliant" and the officer attempted to take him into custody.
"There was a physical struggle between Hollman and the officer. Hollman refused to comply with the officer's commands. The officer attempted to use a Taser as Hollman continued to resist arrest," GBI said in a statement last month.
Atlanta police said the officer struggled with Hollman for several minutes before using his stun gun and putting Hollman in handcuffs, with the help of a witness.
"After the officer took Hollman into custody, police determined that Hollman had become unresponsive. Police called EMS personnel, and Hollman was taken to a local hospital where he died," GBI said.
After Hollman's death, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens directed police to evaluate the interaction with Hollman and conduct a review of its operating procedures. The Atlanta Police Department updated its procedures regarding traffic citations, allowing officers to write "refusal to sign" in the signature line instead of making an arrest.
MORE: Brother of Utah mom accused of killing husband before writing book on grief speaks out
Officers will have a driver sign the citation to acknowledge receipt and gain awareness of the court date. Officers are to inform drivers that signing the citation is not an admission of guilt. If they continue to refuse, then the officer will write "refusal to sign" and issue a copy of the charges, instead of making a physical arrest.
Atlanta police said they will publicly share the results of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Atlanta Police Department's investigations into Hollman's death once they conclude.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword, It Started With the Wine
- Sheriff’s posting of the mugshot of a boy accused of school threat draws praise, criticism
- Love Is Blind Season 7 Trailer Teases NSFW Confession About What’s Growing “Inside of His Pants”
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Alaska man charged with sending graphic threats to kill Supreme Court justices
- Lala Kent Shares Baby Girl Turned Purple and Was Vomiting After Challenging Birth
- Texas education commissioner calls for student cellphone ban in schools
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Tulane’s public health school secures major gift to expand
Ranking
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Woman suffers leg burns after hiking off trail near Yellowstone Park’s Old Faithful
- Pharrell Williams slammed as 'out of touch' after saying he doesn't 'do politics'
- Your Ultimate Acne Guide: Treat Pimples, Blackheads, Bad Breakouts, and More
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- See Jamie Lynn Spears' Teen Daughter Maddie Watson All Dressed Up for Homecoming Court
- Tupperware, company known for its plastic containers, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Two Georgia deaths are tied to abortion restrictions. Experts say abortion pills they took are safe
Recommendation
Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
Veteran CIA officer who drugged and sexually assaulted dozens of women gets 30 years in prison
Gun violence data in Hawaii is incomplete – and unreliable
Tyson Foods Sued Over Emissions Reduction Promises
Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
A body is found near the site of the deadly interstate shooting in Kentucky
Travis Kelce’s Jaw-Droppingly Luxe Birthday Gift to Patrick Mahomes Revealed
Found: The Best Free People Deals Under $50, Featuring Savings Up to 92% Off & Styles Starting at Just $6