Monday Protest at Smyrna City Hall Against Officer's Promotion

SMYRNA, GA -- A protest is being planned for Monday at Smyrna City Hall in reaction to the promotion of a police officer who shot and killed a unarmed black man last year.

Felicia Thomas, mother of Nicholas Thomas, is angry over the promotion of Smyrna Police Sgt. Kenneth Owens to to Lieutenant, reports the AJC.

“We need to shut this city down,” Thomas said.

On March 24, 2015, Owens, along with two other Smyrna officers and four Cobb County officers,were serving an arrest warrant on Thomas, 23, who was working at the Goodyear inside the Vinings Crossing shopping center.

Police say that when Thomas saw the officers approaching, he drove a customer’s white Maserati around the building several times in a reckless manner, and then drove straight at the officers. At this point, police say that Owens feared for his safety and fired at the Maserati, killing Thomas.

A Cobb County grand jury later determined that the fatal shooting was justified and recommended that no further action be taken in the case.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Cobb County Police Department also investigated the shooting and determined that Owens was justified in pulling the trigger.

The protest is scheduled for 5:30 pm.

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More on the case from Smyrna-Vinings Patch:

• Smyrna Officer Involved in Shooting Promoted
• Man Killed by Smyrna Police Was Shot in Back: Autopsy
• Smyrna Police Officer Who Shot Man Returns to Work
• Funeral of Man Killed by Smyrna Police Announced
• Smyrna Officer Involved in Fatal Shooting Faced Assault, Battery Charges in ‘99: Report
• Vigil For Man Killed by Smyrna Police Draws Hundreds of Supporters
• Prayer Vigil Planned For Man Killed by Smyrna Police
• Smyrna Police Identify Officers Involved in Fatal Shooting Incident
• Protesters Disrupt Smyrna-Area Restaurants After Police Shooting
• Smyrna Police Chief: Cobb PD, DA’s Office Will Investigate Officer-Involved Killing
• Family of Man Slain By Smyrna Police Want Independent Investigation
• UPDATE: Police Say Vinings Shooting Victim Drove Vehicle At Officers, One Officer Opened Fire