Tory Brown

Date: 8/24/2021              Location: College Park, GA              FACTORS (1,2,12,19)          

Name: Tory Brown                            

Criminal History/Involved: Yes, Brown pled guilty in 2018 to “theft by taking and financial transaction card theft,” had arrest warrants issued for him in 2019 and 2020 when  his probation was revoked./ Yes, Brown was wanted for violating his probation.

Mental Illness: None stated.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown./ None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: Black/Male/22

Officer(s) involved: Clayton County Sheriff’s Office deputy                                                          

What prompted the initial contact with police? At around 9:48 p.m. on August 24, 2021, members of the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit attempted to execute an arrest warrant on Tory Brown at his girlfriend’s apartment. While staged outside the apartment, the deputies gave several verbal commands for everyone inside it to come out.

Actions taken by subject towards police: While numerous people complied with the deputies commands and exited the apartment, Brown refused to comply and remained inside. When deputies entered the residence, Brown “quickly advanced toward” them.

Reactions by the police:  As Brown aggressively advanced toward him, one of the deputy’s fatally shot Brown.

Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has the lead on the investigation and will forward its findings to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office.

What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Not violate his probation and have a warrant be issued; comply with the deputies orders and exit the apartment; comply with the deputies orders and surrender peacefully with his hands up; not aggressively advance toward an armed deputy

Miscellaneous: Media articles have quotes from Brown’s mother about what a good kid he was while glossing over the crimes he committed and the reason a fugitive unit was after him.

Justified Use of Deadly Force? YES, the deputy reasonably feared for his life as Brown, a wanted subject ignored the fugitive team’s lawful orders to surrender and aggressively advanced toward the deputy in the confined space of an apartment while the deputy had his weapon out. It is not the deputy’s job to unnecessarily risk his life and engage in a physical struggle over his weapon – all Brown had to do was comply and he would be alive.