ATLANTA (AP) — Investigators on Thursday released the identity of the one who was shot and killed by law enforcement officers who were attempting to clear protesters camping at the location of a planned Atlanta-area public safety training center that opponents have dubbed “Cop City.”
Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, 26, was shot and killed Wednesday morning, in accordance with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Teran was inside a tent within the woods and didn’t comply with verbal commands from law enforcement officers attempting to clear the world, the GBI has said.
When Teran shot and injured a state trooper, other law enforcement officers returned fire and killed Teran, the GBI has said.
Activists have questioned the police version of events and called for the discharge of law enforcement body camera footage.
Opponents of the training center have been protesting for over a 12 months by constructing platforms in surrounding trees and camping out at the location. They are saying that the $90 million project, which could be built by the Atlanta Police Foundation, involves cutting down so many trees that it might be environmentally damaging. Additionally they oppose investing a lot money in what they call “Cop City,” which they are saying will likely be used to practice “urban warfare.”
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Col. Chris Wright, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, told reporters Wednesday that the injured trooper underwent surgery and was in intensive care. He told state lawmakers during a budget hearing Thursday that the trooper remained in intensive care and was scheduled to undergo one other surgery Thursday morning.
The agency said in a news release that it might not release the name of the trooper involved within the shooting “because disclosure would compromise security against criminal or terroristic acts because of retaliation.”
The GBI said about 25 campsites were situated and removed Wednesday and that mortar-style fireworks, edged weapons, pellet rifles, gas masks and a blow torch were recovered.
Seven people were arrested and charged with domestic terrorism and criminal trespass with other charges pending, the GBI said. They vary in age from 20 to 34 years, and none of them are Georgia residents.
GBI Director Mike Register said Wednesday that folks are “illegally occupying” the world and are committing acts that endanger the community, including arson and using explosives. The “clearing operation” was conducted in the identical area where a handful of individuals were arrested last month and in addition charged with domestic terrorism. Authorities said on the time that firefighters and law enforcement officials were attacked with rocks and weapons as they removed barricades blocking entrances to the location.
The 85-acre (35-hectare) property is owned by the town of Atlanta but is situated just outside the town limits in unincorporated DeKalb County, and features a former state prison farm.
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