Bond Announced for Ex-Cop Involved in Shooting; Mayor, Police Chief Sued

ATLANTA, GA — Bond was set on Thursday at $240,000 for the former Atlanta police officer who is accused in the Midtown shooting of an unarmed black man.

Also on Thursday, the mother of the man who was killed hired the Cochran Firm Atlanta to represent her in a civil rights lawsuit again Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Police Chief George Turner and the city.

The Cochran Firm Atlanta has filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf for Melva Rogers, mother of Deravis Caine Rogers, 22, who was allegedly killed by James Burns, an Atlanta police officer at Monroe Place Apartments on June 22.,

Burns responded to a call from a courtesy officer at that location when he reported a suspicious person. At the time of the incident, a police spokesman said Burns chased Rogers and called for backup. Rogers then got in a 2011 silver Ford Fusion and attempted to leave. Several other off-duty officers then arrived, and Rogers still attempted to leave. Burns reportedly felt threatened, and that's when he shot Rogers.

Rogers then crashed into a parked SUV at the Cirque restaurant. He was rushed to a local hospital where he later died.

Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard is charging Burns with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, among other charges.

"Despite the fact the Ford Fusion made no attempt to strike the officer and Burns was safely standing at the rear of his own patrol vehicle, Burns pulled his service weapon and fired one shot into the passenger side of Rogers' vehicle," Howard said. "At the time of the shooting, Burns was not provided with any facts describing Rogers as a threat to the officer or the public. Neither was Rogers identified as the man the off-duty officer had previously reported."

Burns was fired last month following the shooting.

See also:

• Arrest Warrant Issued For Officer Who Shot, Killed Suspected Car Thief
• Officer Who Shot, Killed Suspected Car Thief Fired
• Police Shoot, Kill Man Trying to Break Into Cars in Midtown