Grand Jury Reviewing Shooting Death of Unarmed Black Man By White Police Officer

By Reuters
Police Shooting
People protest over the police shooting of a man named Anthony Hill as they carry his photo in Decatur, Georgia March 11, 2015.  REUTERS/Tami Chappell

A Georgia grand jury on Thursday reviewed the shooting death of an unarmed, naked black man by a white police officer at a suburban Atlanta apartment complex last March, prosecutors and the family's attorney said.

The death of Anthony Hill, 27, came as a spate of killings in the United States have raised questions about excessive use of force by police, particularly against black men.

No charges have been brought so far against the officer, Robert Olsen of the DeKalb County police department.

Hill was a U.S. Air Force veteran who suffered from bipolar disorder, according to his relatives. He was shot on March 9 after police found him crawling naked, knocking on apartment doors and "acting deranged," DeKalb County police said.

Hill ran toward the officer, who ordered Hill to stop before shooting him twice, according to police. However, some witnesses said Hill's hands were raised before he was shot in the chest. 

Thursday's grand jury does not have the authority to indict Olsen, but can recommend whether the case should proceed to a criminal grand jury, said Ryan Julison, spokesman for Hill's family attorney.

Through a spokesman, DeKalb County district attorney Robert James declined to comment before the grand jury deliberations. It could be a week or more before the grand jury recommendation is released, said his spokesman, Erik Burton.

Relatives said Hill may have stopped using some of the seven medications he was taking for his condition after his medical discharge from the military in 2013.

(Editing by Letitia Stein; Editing by Doina Chiacu)

    Most Popular
  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo

  • Woman pastor analyzes: How Chinese gender culture shapes female ministers’ roles in churches

    In traditional Chinese culture, deeply ingrained notions of gender roles, often expressed as "male strong, female weak," significantly influence the position of women in society and the church. This issue is particularly pertinent for female pastors navigating their roles in ministry. Rev. Dora Wang, Ph.D., from China Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), recently addressed this topic in a seminar, sharing her insights on the challenges women face in ministry and proposing strategies to su