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TOPLINE
Natalie White—one of the women suspected of setting fire to the Atlanta Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was shot and killed—has been arrested and faces charges of first-degree arson on the day of his funeral.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JUNE 16: A person visits the Wendy’s restaurant that was set on fire after … [+]
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KEY FACTS
Atlanta Fire Investigators issued an arrest warrant for first-degree arson for Natalie White on Sunday.
The fast-food restaurant was set on fire and destroyed on June 13, one night after Brooks was shot in the parking lot by an Atlanta police officer, who was later charged with felony murder.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office tweeted out that White was in custody and being booked.
It has been reported that White may have had a romantic relationship with Rayshard Brooks.
Key Background:
In footage captured by bodycam video, when Brooks was questioned by police in the Wendy’s parking lot shortly before he was shot, he identified a woman named Natalie White as his girlfriend. Describing his evening prior to that point, Brooks tells arresting officers Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan, “Natalie White, she’s my girlfriend. She left off. I said, ‘Babe, I’m gonna get Wendy’s.'” As of yet, neither the fire department nor the Brooks’ family attorney has confirmed the possible connection between White and the deceased. The announcement of White’s arrest came just moments after the end of Brooks’ funeral.
Tangent:
Last week, prosecutors announced 11 charges, including felony murder, against Garrett Rolfe, the officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks. According to records released by the Atlanta Police Department, Rolfe had been the subject of prior disciplinary investigations, including a use-of-force violation involving the use of a firearm in 2016. On Monday, attorneys for Rolfe said in a statement that they are disputing statements made about the case by Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard. The other officer involved in the case, Devin Brosnan, in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published Tuesday, called Brooks’ death “heartbreaking” and a “tragedy,” but also said that he “personally would not have done anything differently that evening.”
Further Reading:
Officer Who Fatally Shot Rayshard Brooks Was Previously Disciplined For Use Of Force With Firearm (Forbes)
Rayshard Brooks Mourned Where Martin Luther King Once Preached (Forbes)
Suspect in downtown Wendy’s fire in custody (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Atlanta cop charged in Brooks case: ‘the truth will come out’ (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
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