*The daughter of an Atlanta deacon who died following a “physical struggle” with police is speaking out about the final moments before his death.
Johnny Hollman, 69, became unresponsive during what the Atlanta Police Department called “several minutes of struggling” with the arresting officer, 11 Alive reports. According to Essence.com, Hollman was involved in a minor car crash while on his way home from bible study. After calling 911, he waited for more than an hour for the police, according to Hollman’s family.
When officers arrived, Officer Kiran Kimbrough determined that Hollman was at fault, but he refused to sign the traffic ticket.
As Essence reports, a report from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) states that Kimbrough determined Hollman was “responsible for the crash and attempted to take him into custody” but Hollman “became agitated and uncooperative with Kimbrough,” writes progressive media outlet People’s World.
Justice for Johnny Hollman!!
On Saturday, September 23rd, we marched for justice for Johnny Hollman Sr,.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and continue to fight alongside us to fight for justice! #blm #blacklivesmatter#justiceforjohnnyhollman
???? : Hadassah Estee pic.twitter.com/qXC92O6t5U
— Davis Bozeman Johnson Law (@davisbozemanlaw) September 28, 2023
The officers were investigating the crash when Hollman “became non-compliant and the officer attempted to take Hollman into custody,” according to the GBI. Kimbrough allegedly had no choice but to use force against the deacon.
The City of Atlanta is now denying requests to release body camera footage of the incident, Essence reports.
Hollman’s daughter, Arnitra Hollman, spoke at a news conference and said she was on the phone with her father during the struggle, 11 Alive reports. She said her father’s last words were, “I can’t breathe.”
“The next time I heard my daddy voice, he was in distress. I heard my daddy beg for help,” Arnitra said.
As Essence reports, Hollman suspected something was amiss during his encounter with the police and called his daughter Arnitra, keeping her on speakerphone as the struggle ensured.
“When I made it to see my daddy, I saw him on the ground,” Arnitra said. “I knew he was gone. My daddy didn’t move anymore.”
“I am having to live with this pain every single day. My daddy should not have died like that,” she added.
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