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2 take plea deals in Atlanta Wendy’s arson following death of Rayshard Brooks

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2 take plea deals in Atlanta Wendy’s arson following death of Rayshard Brooks


July 14, 2020 – Demolition begins at Wendys where Rayshard Brooks was killed (FOX 5)

Two of the three suspects charged with intentionally setting fire to the Wendy’s where police shot and killed Rayshard Brooks in the summer of 2020 have accepted a plea deal.

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Natalie Hanna White, John Wesley Wade, and Chisom Kingston were indicted in January for setting fire to the Wendy’s restaurant on University Avenue in southwest Atlanta on June 13, 2020. The blaze reduced the building to rubble. Each face two counts of arson and conspiracy to commit arson.

Kingston’s attorney told FOX 5 his client accepted the plea dale in court.

Part of that deal requires that he pays a $500 fine and serve 150 hours of community service within the next 6 months.

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Chisom Kingston, John Wesley Wade, and Natalie Hanna White (left to right)

Chisom Kingston, John Wesley Wade, and Natalie Hanna White (left to right) (Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)

Wendy’s restaurant torched during protests over death of Rayshard Brooks

Nearly two full days after the shooting death of Rayshard Brooks, a large group of protesters had gathered around the Wendy’s located along University Avenue, just off the Downtown Connector. Shortly after 9:30 p.m., flames could be seen shooting out of the closed restaurant.

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Atlanta Fire Department officials said that the fire at the southwest Atlanta Wendy’s started in multiple locations using multiple incendiary methods and devices. Officials estimated that there were at least 10 attempts to set the building on fire.

In video shot that night by FOX 5, a woman can be seen wearing a pink-ish-purple jacket around her waist. She appears to have an aerosol can that she ignites as others smashed windows just seconds before the fast-food restaurant went up in flames.

An attorney said the woman in those images that investigators released is Natalie White, but that she didn’t start the fire.

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Some smaller fires were seen in the immediate area of the Wendy’s as well.

According to the indictment, Wade, White, and Kingston “unlawfully, by means of fire, knowingly and intentionally damaged the building.”

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The grand jury also found enough evidence to indict the trio with conspiracy to commit arson.

At least 36 people were arrested that evening, but White was apprehended June 22 and Kingston and Wade on July 2.

Officer Garrett Rolfe gives Rayshard Brooks a sobriety test moments before his deadly shooting in southwest Atlanta on June 12, 2020. (Atlanta Police Department)

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Who was Rayshard Brooks?

In the midst of a tumultuous summer of protests responding law enforcement killings of Black Americans, an incident in Atlanta caught the nation’s attention.

Rayshard Brooks was a father of four celebrating his daughter’s birthday at an arcade on June 12, 2020, hours before he was killed in the parking lot of an Atlanta Wendy’s. Brooks had fallen asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane of a Wendy’s restaurant.

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Brooks was shot dead by Atlanta Police Department Officer Garrett Rolfe, who was performing a DUI test with another officer after Brooks was found sleeping in his car while in line at Wendy’s on University Avenue. Police said Brooks attempted to evade arrest and the officers attempted to deploy their Tasers multiple times.

Brooks took a Taser away from the officer, police said, and then began to run away and eventually was able to use the Taser against the officer. Rolfe allegedly shot Brooks. An autopsy found that Brooks was shot twice in the back.

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Rolfe has been charged with murder and other offenses. The other officer, Devin Brosnan, was charged with aggravated assault and violating his oath. Lawyers for both officers have said their clients acted appropriately. They are free on bond.

Rolfe was fired after the shooting but the Atlanta Civil Service Board reversed that dismissal. It found that the city failed to follow its own procedures for disciplinary actions.

The case was handed over to a special prosecutor in July 2021. In August 2022, the prosecutor overseeing the case determined the officers “committed no crimes.”

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The officers announced lawsuits soon after, seeking monetary damages from the city, the former mayor and police chief. The suit claims the city violated officers’ Constitutional rights.

The shooting came at a time of heightened tension over police brutality and calls for reforms across the U.S. following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

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Atlanta was among U.S. cities where large crowds of protesters took to the streets.



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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta police officer surprises 12-year-old with Christmas gift for good behavior

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Atlanta police officer surprises 12-year-old with Christmas gift for good behavior


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – An Atlanta police officer made a 12-year-old boy’s Christmas a little brighter this year.

On Monday, Officer Sebastian Kertchaval surprised 12-year-old Amir with a PlayStation 5, police said in a social media post.

Atlanta Police Officer Sebastian Kertchaval surprised 12-year-old Amir with a Christmas gift.(Atlanta Police Department)

Police said Kertchaval met Amir and his family over the summer while “responding to a 911 call for an unruly child.”

During that visit, Kertchaval saw that Amir was upset with his mother and grandmother.

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“And though tensions were high in their home, Ofc. Kertchaval remained patient with Amir, and took the time to positively connect with Amir and was ultimately able to de-escalate the upset child,” police said.

Since that first meeting, Amir’s grandmother has kept Kertchaval updated on Amir’s “increasingly positive behavior throughout the year.”

After hearing of Amir’s progress, Kertchaval bought Amir a new PlayStation 5 for both Christmas and as a reward for his progress.

“Thank you, Officer Kertchaval, for your dedication to community policing and for being a positive example during this holiday season,” police said.

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Some Metro Atlanta Starbucks employees go on strike amid the holidays

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Some Metro Atlanta Starbucks employees go on strike amid the holidays


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – You may experience order delays if you are headed to a Starbucks on Christmas Eve. Some workers in Metro Atlanta are on strike.

Representatives with Starbucks Workers United tell Atlanta News First they feel underpaid and understaffed and are protesting the lack of progress in contract negotiation with the company.

Starbucks union workers in Alpharetta are making their voices heard loud and clear. They allege unfair labor practices.

“When Starbucks workers first started to unionize, they gave non-union workers pay raises and the partners that were unionized didn’t get that until later and so they’re owed back pay,” said Danielle Stolton, Shift supervisor at the Alpharetta store.

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Stolton said she has been a part of the bargaining process.

“Personally, last year was the worst year,” she said. “I had a mental breakdown, actually.”

Stolton and others planned this one-day strike to stand in solidarity with over 5,000 workers at more than 300 stores that are protesting.

Strikes have been going on in some places since last Friday. Some baristas said they want better pay and better benefits.

“I know baristas in my store personally who are having to choose between gas or groceries so when you see problems like that it’s really hard to not feel some type of way about the fact that Starbucks made 24 billion dollars in profit this year, two percent more than last year and we’re still seeing two percent pay raises,” said Vivek G, a Starbucks employee.

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Starbucks Workers United said the company failed to honor a commitment made in February.

In a statement to Atlanta News First, Starbucks said:

“Only around 170 Starbucks stores did not open as planned. With over 10,000 company-operated stores, 98% of our stores and nearly 200,000 green apron partners continuing to operate and serve customers during the holidays,” the coffeechain added.

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Some workers feel differently.

“It’s just basic living wages and also again to reiterate is just to have. We’re asking for minimum staffing and realistic expectations and just the ability to run our floors and run our stores in a way that makes the most sense. They say they want to hear us, they say they want to listen but every time we ask for help, we get told no,” Stolton said.



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Atlanta’s Defense Stifles Minnesota in the 4th Quarter Of 117-104 Win to Snap Three-Game Losing Streak

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Atlanta’s Defense Stifles Minnesota in the 4th Quarter Of 117-104 Win to Snap Three-Game Losing Streak


Atlanta is going to head into the Holiday Season with a win.

Atlanta had hit a rough patch since their run in the NBA Cup, losing three straight, including a blowout loss on Saturday night vs Memphis. It was not a do or die situation vs Minnesota, but the Hawks could have used a good win and they got it tonight against the Timberwolves.

The Hawks got the win tonight behind three terrific performances from Trae Young, Garrison Matthews, and Dyson Daniels. Young finished with 29 points and seven assists on 8-15 shooting, Daniels had a career high eight steals to go along with 10 points, and Matthews hit a career high seven threes and finished with 25 points. It was tremendous to see Matthews, who had not played much at all lately, be ready for the moment in a big win for the Hawks.

They were not the only reasons the Hawks won though. Jalen Johnson flirted with a triple double, finishing with 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists and De’Andre Hunter scored 19 off the bench.

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This was a fantastic win for Atlanta that was sprearheaded by their defense and three point shooting. Despite 21 turnovers, Atlanta found a way 53% from the floor and 50% (18-36) from three tonight. For a team that has struggled to shoot the ball, it was good to see the Hawks perform well on that end of the floor.

Up next for the Hawks are an important two games against Chicago and Miami. Both are at home and with both teams near the Hawks in the standings, it would be huge if the Hawks could get a pair of wins before they go on their long road trip.

With Young available to play, the Hawks went with their usual starting lineup of Young, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Clint Capela.

Minnesota stuck with thier normal starting lineup of Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert.

The first quarter could not have much better for the Hawks. Their defense was really strong to start and Young looked great in his return to the court. He scored 10 quick point and the Hawks shot 63% from the floor early on and led Minnesota 21-9. Edwards was doing everything for the Wolves early in the game, scoring seven of their first nine points, but overall, Minnesota was shooting 24% from the floor and 9% from three.

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With Bogdanovic and Okongwu still out, the Hawks turned to Larry Nance, Vit Krejci, De’Andre Hunter, and Garrison Matthews off the bench. It had been some time since Matthews had meaningful minutes, but he made the most of his minutes in the first half. The Hawks led 35-19 after the first quarter and were shooting 68% from the floor, including 7-11 from three and 12 points and four assists from Young.

Then the second quarter happened.

It was the complete opposite for the Hawks in the second quarter. Minnesota started the quarter on an 18-5 run and cut the lead to 40-37 when Snyder called a timeout to try and halt the Wolves run. The Hawks shooting had ground to a halt in the second quarter while the bench for Minnesota outscored the entire Hawks team in the second quarter 20-17. Aside from Matthews going 3-3 from deep, the Hawks shot a dismal 24% from the floor and 25% from three in the second quarter and a game they once led by 19 turned into a Minnesota lead at halftime after a Mike Conley shot just beat the buzzer. Minnesota shot 54% from the floor and 57% from three in the second quarter and outscored the Hawks 36-17 and led 55-52 at the half. Young had 16 points and five assists, while Matthews had 15 points on 5-5 shooting from three. Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Wolves with 11 each.

It was a back-and-forth third quarter between the two teams. Hunter and Risacher scored five points each at the start of the quarter, but Atlanta continued to have problems with turnovers and Atlanta could not get out in front. At the end of the quarter though, Matthews found Johnson for a basket right before the end of the quarter that ended up being one of many highlights for him on the night.

The Wolves maintained a three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but that is where the Hawks won the game.

The Hawks have made it a point to win games with their defense this season and they did it again tonight. While the Hawks went 6-7 from three and shot 59% from the field, they held Minnesota to 39% from the field and 13% (1-8) from three in the fourth quarter. Matthews continued to have the best shooting night of his career and Daniels was a menace on the defensive end of the floor. The Hawks outscored the TImberwolves 35-19 in the fourth quarter (20 points from the bench) and led by as many as 17 in the 4th to seal a win and move to 15-15 this season.





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