Atlanta Police Remove Memorial Outside Wendy's After Shootings

ATLANTA, GA — After a violent weekend in Atlanta, which included the fatal shooting of an 8-year-old girl, police and sanitation crews have started taking down a memorial for Rayshard Brooks.

On Monday, crews were seen placing items into trash bags at the Wendy’s that Brooks was killed at last month, reported WSB-TV.

Protesters outside reacted to the removal of the memorial, saying it’s become a safe space for those without a home.

“APD came through and did what they do best, they destroyed another community,” said one protester in a Facebook video shared by journalist Je’ Wesley Day.

“What was happening here was an experiment in deep, deep love. We installed showers for people because there are so many unhoused Atlantans here making space out here because they felt safe. We installed a bathroom and tiny houses.”

Another protester said they’ve been fighting to create a community garden to feed people, saying that they’ve been peaceful.

“The narrative that [Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms] wants to push is that this is a lawless place, but it’s not.”

The mayor said during a Sunday news conference after the death of an 8-year-old girl that "At the point that an 8-year-old baby is killed, the discussions have ended.”

The girl, who police identified Sunday at Secoriea Turner, was shot near the same Wendy’s as Brooks.

Police said the victim was riding in a vehicle with her mother and an adult friend when they exited the interstate onto University Ave. The driver was attempting to enter the parking lot at 1238 Pryor Road when he was confronted by a group of armed individuals who had blocked the entrance.

At some point, someone in that group opened fire on the vehicle, hitting it multiple times and striking the child who was inside. Police said the driver then drove to Atlanta Medical Center for help. The child died at the hospital.

Related: Gov. Kemp Calls Atlanta's Violent Weekend Unacceptable; Girl Dies