Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old black man, was shot and killed for allegedly sleeping in his car. Brooks’ family revealed in a press conference Monday that Tyler Perry will be paying for Brooks’ funeral expenses.
What We Know:
- Last Friday, a Wendy’s employee contacted the police because Brooks was sleeping in his car. The conversation between Brooks and officers Garett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan was cooperative at first, but things quickly turned into a scuffle over Rolfe’s taser.
- Brooks was shot in the back twice as he ran. He later died at Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital. His death was ruled a homicide due to blood loss and organ damage, according to his autopsy. District Attorney Paul Howard stated that there could be possible charges filed against Rolfe, who was fired from the force while Brosnan was placed on suspension.
- Christy Evans, Brooks’ niece, was one of the first family members to speak out regarding Brooks’ death. She stated that one of her biggest fears came to past, which was an unarmed black man dying at the hands of a police officer. Only this time, it was a member of her family.
- “Blessing, Memory, and Dream will never get to see their father again. Not only was he a girl dad but he was a loving husband, caring brother, and most importantly to me, an uncle I could depend on. Rayshard Brooks was silly, he had the brightest smile and the biggest heart and loved to dance since we were kids,” she said.
- L. Chris Stewart, who is representing the family with Justin Miller, shared that he was contacted by a witness who had seen the shooting take place. The witness shared photos of the vehicle that was sprayed with a bullet.
- Stewart also took out the time to express gratitude towards Tyler Perry for funding Brooks’ funeral. “It’s support like that and it’s people who are actually in this community, love this community, who want that healing, to step forward. And we want to thank him for such a generous move,” Stewart said.
Perry, who lives in Atlanta and runs his Tyler Perry Studios there, often gives back to the community. In April, Perry paid for the groceries of seniors and other vulnerable shoppers at 44 Kroger grocery stores in Atlanta amid the coronavirus pandemic. That month he also left a $500 tip for each of the 42 employees at a Houston’s restaurant in Atlanta. In total, he tipped $21,000, showing his appreciation for the essential workers as he picked up his takeout order, CBS Atlanta station WGCL-TV reported.
