June 23, 2020 | 5:23pm | Updated June 23, 2020 | 6:57pm
The burned-down Atlanta Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was killed.
Photo by ELIJAH NOUVELAGE/AFP via Getty Images
Surveillance footage of suspect Natalie White.
The Atlanta Wendy’s on fire.
REUTERS
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Deputies have arrested the woman accused of torching the Atlanta Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was gunned down by police.
Natalie White, 29, was apprehended Tuesday in connection to the arson that burned down the fast-food chain’s location during protests on Saturday, June 13, a day after Brooks was killed in its parking lot, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.
Brooks had referred to White as his “girlfriend” during the June 12 traffic stop that ultimately led to his death, body cam footage shows. White’s lawyer on Tuesday confirmed the two were “close friends” but declined to comment further on their relationship.
A warrant was issued for White on Saturday, about a week after she allegedly set the blaze. Atlanta’s fire department said it was difficult for its crews to fight the fire because they were met by demonstrators blocking their path, according to the local NBC affiliate.
White’s apprehension comes on the same day as the Atlanta funeral for Brooks, where he was remembered as a hard-working family man who left behind three young daughters and a teenage stepson.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit just apprehended Wendys arson suspect Natalie White moments ago. White is being booked into the Fulton County Jail right now. This case is being investigated by @ATLFireRescue Arson Unit. @FGTV @FultonInfo
— Fulton Sheriff PIO (@FultonSheriff) June 23, 2020
Brooks, 27, was fatally shot by an Atlanta police officer during a foot chase with police in the restaurant’s parking lot. After he failed a sobriety test, he took off running with an officer’s Taser.
As Brooks fled, he turned back and pointed the Taser at officer Garrett Rolfe, who then opened fire.
Rolfe, 27, was fired from the department and charged with murder. The second responding officer, Devin Brosnan, 26, was placed on administrative duty and charged with aggravated assault in connection to the death..
