Smyrna Protestors Want Meeting With Mayor

SMYRNA, GA -- A group of local activists who are protesting the promotion of a Smyrna police officer want to meet with Mayor Max Bacon.

The Nick Thomas Justice Coalition sent a letter to Bacon on Monday, according to the AJC. The letter was signed by the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s Cobb County chapter.

The controversy is surrounding the promotion of Sgt. Kenneth Owens.

On March 24, 2015, Owens, along with two other Smyrna officers and four Cobb County officers, were serving an arrest warrant on Nicholas Thomas, 23, who was working at a 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. Owens has since been promoted to lieutenant.

On Feb. 15, protestors shut down a Smyrna city council meeting after police escorted them from City Hall.

The protestors are calling Owens “a rogue cop” who was out for “revenge” because they say Thomas had evaded an arrest attempt the night before.

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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