Atlanta ex-cop who wrongfully killed Devaris Rogers charged with murder

An arrest warrant has been issued for the former Atlanta police officer who was fired for shooting and killing a black man even though he posed no threat to him, WSB-TV reported.

James Burns faces a felony murder charge, as well as charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of violation of oath in connection with the death of Devaris Rogers last month at a local apartment complex.

Burns was allegedly called in for backup by an off-duty officer working security at the complex because of an alleged auto break-in. He shot Rogers after seeing him drive out of the parking lot, but authorities determined there was no indication that the unarmed victim had committed any crime.

They also rejected Burns' account of the incident, in which he stated that Rogers "was trying to run me over and kill [him.]."

"As the vehicle approached you, you were in your vehicle," Police Chief George N. Turner said in a memo to Burns. "The driver of the vehicle posed no immediate threat to you ... You did not have probable cause that the driver posed a threat of serious physical harm either to yourself or others."

Burns, who joined the department in 2013, was subsequently fired on July 1.