Operations

Wendy's responds to homicide, fire at Atlanta store

Photo: iStock

June 15, 2020

Authorities have ruled the death of an Atlanta man — shot by police at a Wendy's location —  as a homicide. Rayshard Brooks, 27, was shot repeatedly in the back, according to the Fulton County medical examiner, when police responded to the restaurant, where an employee had called to report that a man had fallen asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane.

A Sunday autopsy showed that the young father died as the result of organ and gunshot injuries as well as blood loss, according to The Guardian. Protests erupted as a result around police use of force and racism that first broke out nearly four weeks ago in Minneapolis where another black man, George Floyd, died in police custody when an officer knelt on his neck during an arrest and cut off his air supply. 

In Brooks' case, a Wendy's employee called the police to the restaurant Friday night to report that a person was asleep in his car in the drive-thru lane. Body and surveillance camera footage showed that the shooting occurred after officers conducted a field sobriety test with Brooks. In the body camera footage Brook's undergoes a sobriety test, but when the officers involved in the encounter attempt to handcuff Brooks, the body cam falls off. Then security camera footage of the same moments shows officers struggling with Brooks on the ground, the BBC reported. 

Brooks is seen grabbing the officer's stun gun, then running from them. As they pursue him on foot, Brooks is seen turning and pointing the stun gun at the police before resuming running and then being shot. The officer involved in the shooting, Garrett Rolfe— who was white — later told a supervisor that Brooks "definitely did shoot it at me at least once."

Rolfe was fired and Atlanta's police chief, Erika Shields, has resigned, as well. Another white officer involved in the incident is on administrative leave.

In weekend protests of the shooting, the Wendy's location was set ablaze. 

Atlanta demonstrators have called for Rolfe to be charged criminally, while police have offered a $10,000 reward and published photos of what appeared to be a masked white woman being sought in connection with the fire. 

In response to the shooting and protests, Wendy's President and CEO Todd Penegor issued this statement to employees and franchisees:

I wanted to reach out regarding the heartbreaking events that occurred in Atlanta this weekend. The tragic death of Rayshard Brooks, and the pain this has caused, saddens us all. Wendy’s has proudly served the Atlanta community for decades and seeing our restaurant burn was difficult, but we are extremely grateful that all of the team members remained safe.

The local franchisee who owns this restaurant is ensuring that employees displaced from work will continue to be paid and will have the option to remain employed at other restaurants in the area. Wendy’s is also making funds available through WeCare, our employee assistance program, to any restaurant team member in our system who may experience a financial loss due to short-term restaurant closures or disruptions.

As we’ve communicated previously, Wendy’s is committed to doing our part to make real change by supporting our employees and the Black community through social justice, youth and education efforts.

I realize that recent events have taken an emotional toll on all of us, and I encourage you to take advantage of support resources available like Employee Assistance Programs, and to seek comfort from each other, your friends and family. We will do everything we can to support the Wendy’s Family, and we’re hopeful that the days ahead will bring greater understanding and healing.

The brand did not provide further details on the store or employees involved in the incident.