Officers won't face charges for shooting anti-'Cop City' militant who shot Georgia state trooper in the gut



Police encountered a leftist militant earlier this year who had taken a forward operating position near the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center in DeKalb County's South River Forest, which radicals have dubbed "Cop City." Rather than comply with officers' lawful orders, the militant opened fire, striking a Georgia state trooper in the gut.

For crossing the blue line, 26-year-old Manuel Esteban Paez Teran paid the price.

On Friday, the special prosecutor tasked with investigating the shooting indicated that no criminal charges will be brought against the Georgia State Patrol troopers involved in the Venezuelan's demise.

The shooting

Leftist groups have long campaigned against the construction of the new $90 million police training center in Dekalb County's South River Forest, employing terroristic tactics to get their way.

Militants have conducted firebombings on police officers and law enforcement offices; attacks on firefighters and medics; sabotage on construction equipment; and intimidation efforts at the home of at least one state trooper.

In response this violent campaign, multiple law enforcement agencies executed a joint operation on Jan. 18 near the future training center in order to "identify people who are trespassing and committing other crimes on the property," according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

In his 31-page report released Friday, Mountain Circuit District Attorney Pro Tempore George R. Christian noted the operation comprised two teams, the second of which included GSP SWAT team members, GBI special agents, Atlanta Police Department officers, and K-9 units.

This second team, assigned to an area known as RC Park, cleared a barricade and entered a wooded area, where they removed three individuals without incident. After dealing with the initial group of trespassers, officers encountered Teran.

Teran, a radical who used "they/it" pronouns, was in his tent with the flap closed when troopers arrived. The troopers present at the time of the shooting were Mark Lamb, Jonathan Salcedo, Bryland Myers, Ronaldo Kegel, Royce Zah, and Jerry Parrish.

According to the prosecutor, the troopers clearly identified themselves as members of law enforcement — a fact also clear from the unmistakable markings on their uniforms. Teran reportedly refused to leave, prompting troopers to use nonlethal pepper ball rounds.

In response to the nonlethal rounds, "Teran began firing from inside the tent at the Troopers," wrote Christian.

It appears from the report that Teran fired at least four shots. One of those bullets struck Parrish "in the body below his armor plate and above his belt on his right side" and ended up "lodged adjacent to his spine."

Having been forewarned of possible improvised explosive devices in the area, hearing the gunshots, and figuring at least one of their fellow officers for wounded or worse, the troopers — including Parrish — returned fire. They managed to hit Teran at least 57 times.

Investigators found a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm, 90 rounds of handgun ammunition, foreign currency, a Venezuelan passport, an Industrial Workers of the World membership card, a Florida driver's license, and a Panamanian ID card in Teran's tent.

The reaction

In the aftermath of the shooting, leftist groups called for retaliation.

TheBlaze previously reported that in one post on the website "Scenes from the Atlanta Forest," leftists noted, "An unnamed forest defender has been shot and killed in Weelaunee. Consider this a call for reciprocal violence to be done to the police and their allies. On Friday, January 20th, wherever you are, you are invited to participate in a night of rage in order to honor the memory of our fallen comrade. ... Make them pay."

Various radicals took to the streets in the days that followed, including Jared Dowell, the son of House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.).

A nonprofit founded by twice-failed gubernatorial candidate and election denier Stacey Abrams sided with the extremists, demanding "justice" for Teran, who went by "Tortuguita."

According to the special prosecutor, justice had already been served on Jan. 18.

Justified

Christian wrote that in light of "the severity of the crimes of Aggravated Assault, Felony Obstruction and Hindering, Attempted Murder, and Possession of a Firearm During commission of these crimes that were committed by Teran, Teran was an immediate threat to Lamb and his fellow Troopers."

"Looking at the totality of the circumstances, the use of lethal (deadly) force was objectively reasonable and Trooper Lamb did not act with any criminal intent," added Christian.

The prosecutor reached the same conclusion for all other troopers involved, indicating no criminal charges will be brought against them as they "did not commit any criminal offense."

Unhappy leftists

Reuters reported that Brian Spears, an attorney for Teran's family, said that the family is disappointed by Christian's decision, urging officials to release the full report.

"Release the file now. No more excuses," said Joel Paez, Teran's father, reported WSB-TV.

The GBI indicated in a statement that requests for records in this case will be denied until that time the criminal investigation and prosecution by the state of Georgia and Attorney General's Office are no longer pending.

Teran's mother responded to the results of the investigation, saying, "No matter how the case is resolved, nothing will bring Manuel back. ... For me, justice would be for people to follow Manuel's example," reported the Guardian.

The Vote to Stop Cop City campaign issued a statement on X, saying, "The state's response to Tortuguita's murder has been to lie and cover up the facts. Today's announcement is just the latest in a long line of changing stories and withholding evidence. Tortuguita's memory and the memories of all those stolen by police killings demand that we all continue the collective struggle for a future without state violence. In their name, we fight to Stop Cop City."

Defend the Atlanta Forest wrote, "Justice doesnt [sic] come from the courts; it comes from our dedication to fight for liberation through hardships. We honor the dead by refusing to give up."

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Stacey Abrams' nonprofit sides with alleged domestic terrorists, demands 'justice' for man accused of shooting Georgia trooper



Following a weekend of terror in DeKalb County, a nonprofit founded by twice-failed gubernatorial candidate and election denier Stacey Abrams sided with the out-of-state extremists who pelted police with firebombs and rocks, demanding "justice" for a leftist militant accused of shooting a Georgia state trooper in the gut.

The New Georgia Project and New Georgia Project Action Fund, which previously sought to help Abrams in her pursuit of power, posted calls to action on social media Tuesday, stating, "This Thursday, March 9th at 6 pm ET, NGPAF activists and partners will be in Atlanta marching to #StopCopCity as part of the National Day of Action Against Police Terror."

The accompanying poster demands justice for Tyre Nichols and "Tortuguita."

\u201cThis Thursday, March 9th at 6 pm ET, NGPAF activists and partners will be in Atlanta marching to #StopCopCity as part of the National Day of Action Against Police Terror\u201d
— New Georgia Project (@New Georgia Project) 1678224184

TheBlaze previously reported that the dead leftist whom NGP now seeks "justice for," Tortuguita or Manuel Esteban Paez Terán, was fatally shot by law enforcement on Jan. 18 after he allegedly fired multiple shots at officers without warning, striking a Georgia State Patrol trooper in the gut.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation noted that law enforcement officers were conducting a coordinated operation to "identify people who were trespassing and committing other crimes on the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center," a center dubbed "Cop City" by radicals.

When clearing out a wooded area near Constitution Road, troopers came across Terán, who was camped out where just a month earlier, six leftists had been arrested and charged with domestic terrorism.

According to the GBI, officers gave verbal commands to the man. Instead of complying, he allegedly opened fire and was then fired upon.

In addition to demonstrating in support of a trespasser who reportedly died while trying to slaughter police officers, Abrams' New Georgia Project and the New Georgia Project Action Fund are championing the cause of accused terrorists.

Twenty-three leftist extremists were reportedly charged with domestic terrorism after barraging police with rocks and incendiary devices Sunday at the site of the planned Atlanta Public Safety Training Center in Dekalb County's South River Forest.

According to the Atlanta Police Department, a group of violent agitators used the demonstration as cover to launch a "coordinated attack" on construction equipment and began lobbing "large rocks, bricks, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks at police officers."

\u201cCONSTRUCTION SITE BURNS: Huge plumes of smoke and massive police response after @defendATLforest / #StopCopCity protesters face off with police at the site of Atlanta\u2019s future Public Safety Training Facility. I\u2019m told Molotov cocktails were thrown. Construction equipment is on\u2026\u201d
— Billy Heath III (@Billy Heath III) 1678059735

Among the 35 people arrested Sunday, many were from out of state, and some were even from outside the United States, reported CNN.

Atlanta Police Department officials underscored Sunday night, "This is not a protest. ... This wasn’t about a public training center; this was about anarchy."

"I strongly believe in the right to peacefully protest for what one believes is right and just," said District Attorney Sherry Boston of Dekalb County. "However, I draw the line at violence, destruction of property and threatening and causing harm to others."

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp said the violent activists responsible for the attacks "chose destruction and vandalism over legitimate protest, yet against demonstrating the radical intent behind their actions."

"Domestic terrorism will NOT be tolerated in this state," said the Georgia governor in a statement. "As we continue to respect peaceful protest, we will also continue to ensure safety in our communities. We will not rest until those who use violence and intimidation for an extremist end are brought to justice."

Whereas the governor seeks to bring violent leftists to justice, Abrams' nonprofit wants them to escape it.

The NGP's Mobilize.us event posting suggests that the anti-police march, expected to be up to three miles long, will begin at King Center and end at the Atlanta University Center campus "after dark," adding, "Make sure to wear or bring whatever you need to feel safe and strong and to make post-march transportation plans accordingly."

NGP and the NGPAF, both led by CEO Kendra Davenport Cotton — previously managing director of Planned Parenthood Southeast — will be joined by other leftist and identitarian organizations such as Black Voters Matter in supporting the violent anti-police cause.

In addition to apparent cop hatred, NGP was in the news recently for its "financial irregularities."

The Washington Free Beacon reported late last month that Georgia’s secretary of state has opened an investigation into possible improprieties behind the scenes of Abrams' organization.

NGP and the NGPAF have reportedly raised $54.7 million since 2020. Despite this flow of cash, Fox News Digital noted that NGP applied for and received a $482,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan in May 2020, despite having gathering $24.5 million in contributions and cash that year.

While stacking donations and grabbing COVID loans, its executive reportedly pocketed a pay raise of $69,345.

According to the Beacon, the organization also raised eyebrows with a "half-million-dollar consulting payment to a charity run in part by the brother of former New Georgia Project CEO Nsé Ufot, who was later fired for undisclosed reasons," as well as the claim that it paid zero payroll taxes in 2020.

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