Union City expressed its sympathy Wednesday to the family of a teenager fatally shot by police in December.
Ariston Waiters, 19, was killed Dec. 14 on Hickory Lane after officers responded to a call about a fight in progress. The autopsy showed he was shot twice in the back. The police contend that Waiters was shot while struggling with an officer over the officer's weapon.
"The City sends its heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the Waiters family as well as all affected parties," the statement said. "It would be premature and inappropriate to comment further on the matter until the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office has completed its investigation and review of the incident."
The results of the GBI's investigation into the fatal shooting have been sent to the Fulton DA's office.
Wednesday, members of Waiters' family met with representatives of the DA's office, Channel 2 Action News said. The family said they were told it would be at least two to three more weeks before investigators determine if there will be any criminal charges in the case.
"Get to the truth. We need to know the truth," Freida Waiters said she told the DA's office.
Mawuli Davis, the family's attorney, said there are more ballistics tests that authorities want to run.
"It appeared to be reasonable," he told Channel 2. "It didn't seem like they were trying to stall things or delay things or cover anything up."
During Tuesday night's City Council meeting, Councilwoman Angelette Mealing apologized to the family. After the meeting, she told Channel 2 that she considered Waiters' death "murder."
When asked Wednesday about Mealing's thoughts on the shooting, Union City Mayor Ralph Moore told Channel 2 that her statement was "reckless and inappropriate" and "an unfair indictment of an officer with a good record.”
Union City's official statement on the shooting said, "Any position taken by an elected official of the City that departs from the statements contained herein is the opinion of that official only and does not represent the position of the City."
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