An Atlanta undercover officer already under investigation for January's fatal shooting a man outside a police annex also faces an ongoing assault probe that dates back four months.
Anthony Walters, 25, alleges he was brutally beaten by Officer Yasim Abdulahad at Bulldogs on Peachtree Street last October. An APD spokesman said the department was were made aware of the incident soon after but said a thorough investigation was impossible because the alleged victim would not consent to an interview.
“The officer, along with another officer on the scene and a witness clearly state that Mr. Walters was belligerent, refused to leave the scene,” said APD spokesman Warren Pickard, adding “we believe that is what happened here unless there’s evidence that contradicts that.”
But attorney Chris Stewart, who represents Walters along with the family of the man killed by Abdulahad outside the police annex, said the officer has already proven he can't be trusted. Video footage of the fatal shooting of Deaundre Phillips at the Atlanta police annex contradicted Abdulahad's version of events.
Abdulahad wrote in his report of the Bulldogs incident that Walters struck him in the forehead and his injuries were suffered from a fall that occurred when the officer tried to handcuff the slightly built suspect.
“Nobody should ever strike an officer, but then (Walters is) not charged with assault on an officer,” Stewart said. “He’s not charged with felony obstruction. He’s not charged with any of that stuff.”
The GBI’s probe of the shooting is nearing completion. Atlanta police say the investigation of the alleged assault continues. Another of Walters’ employees, Riah Greathouse, said his client is prepared to cooperate with investigators.
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