The Union City police department released a statement Saturday about the officer-involved shooting death of a 19-year-old man in December.
Ariston Waiters died on Dec. 14 from two gunshots to the back after fleeing from police responding to a fight in a Union City subdivision, according to an autopsy report by the Fulton County Medical Examiner.
The Union City statement details new information about how police believe Ariston Waiters and the officer were struggling over the officer’s gun.
The statement said in part that, "While arresting and handcuffing Waiters, Waiters grabbed the officer's service weapon and a fight over the weapon ensued. During the struggle, our officer discharged his service weapon, mortally wounding Waiters."
"I think this is disappointing," Local radio talk show host and activist Derrick Boazman, told Channel 2 Action News. Boazman has organized rallies in support of the family and said he has been been trying to get more information from Union City about the shooting.
Representatives of the family met about the incident with Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard on Jan. 4. Howard office wouldn't comment on that meeting, saying the case remains active. The GBI, which also investigated the shooting, was preparing last week to send its findings to Howard. The GBI took over the case the day after the Dec. 14 shooting at the request of Union City police.
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